Russell George MS has sponsored a Senedd event that has launched the brand-new All-Wales Cancer Community in association with Tenovus Cancer Care
The community has been set up in order for people affected by cancer, anywhere in Wales, to have a voice, and for these voices to be heard. The All-Wales Cancer Community has been created to give people living with cancer the opportunity to speak about the issues most important to them.
It is hoped that members will become part of an ever-growing, dynamic community, in which people can contribute as much or as little as they like and to help improve outcomes and experiences for people affected by cancer.
Mr George who sponsored the event which took place in the Senedd this week (11th October), spoke at the event of his hopes for improved cancer outcomes in Wales.
The event also heard from head of Tenovus Cancer Care, Judi Rhys MBE.
Speaking after the launch, Mr George said:
'I was pleased to sponsor and welcome the launch of the All-Wales Cancer Community in the Senedd. I am grateful for the work of Tenovus Cancer Care who organised the event.
It was good to be reminded of, and interact with, the kinds of support services offered by Tenovus to people affected by cancer.
Even prior to covid-19, cancer services in Wales faced significant challenges.
We have a cancer workforce under immense pressure; waiting times targets that are not being met month after month after month; and cancer inequalities faced by communities across the country. These issues have all contributed to some of the lowest cancer outcomes across the developed world, right here in Wales.
More than ever, patient’s voices need to be heard by politicians like me, and policy makers and decision makers over the immediate, medium and longer term.
The All-Wales Cancer Community will offer its membership, people affected by cancer, a means of engaging with the policy-making processes and the opportunity to have their voices heard by researchers and those who are tasked with driving service improvement across the NHS, I hope that the All-Wales Cancer Community will be involved in the production of the Welsh Cancer Services Acton Plan promised by the Minister for Health.’
