Sir John Whittingdale attended a meeting with Radiotherapy UK in support of their campaign to improve the availability of radiotherapy treatment for cancer in Mid Essex and elsewhere.
According to a Written Answer from the Department of Health to a question from Sir John, the proportion of cancer patients in the Mid and South Essex ICB area starting treatment within 62 days of referral declined from 47.8% in June 2024 to 43.5% in June 2025. This is against a national figure of 67.1% for England and a national target of 85%.
Radiotherapy UK figures show that only 32.6% of patients in the Maldon constituency have access to radiotherapy treatment, compared to the international benchmark of 53% of patients that should access this personalised life-saving cancer treatment.
Sir John Whittingdale said: “Radiotherapy UK’s figures show that cancer patients in Maldon are in the second worst area in the country for access to Radiotherapy treatment with the result that many are missing out on life-saving treatment. I will continue working with Radiotherapy UK to ensure that this is addressed both in the National Cancer Plan and locally by the Integrated Care Board”.
Sir John is pictured with a representative of Radiotherapy UK
