PARLIAMENTARY EVENT MARKS RELEASE OF AXREM’S RADIOTHERAPY MANIFESTO REFRESH
23 November 2023
Following the public release of the AXREM Manifesto for Radiotherapy – Driving towards a modern, world-class radiotherapy service document on 21st November a parliamentary event was held on the same day to officially launch the refreshed paper.
The event was held in Westminster and was attended and hosted by Tim Farron MP and Chair of the All Party Parliamentary Group for Radiotherapy. The event was also attended by representatives from Radiotherapy UK, The Brain Tumour Trust, Tessa Jowell Foundation, RadChat, the Institute of Engineering in Medicine (IPEM) and NHS Supply Chain. AXREM members were also in attendance with representation from Brainlab, Elekta, Philips, Varian and RaySearch.
Formal speeches were made and Jeevan Gunaratnam, AXREM Chair started proceedings by welcoming everyone to the event and spoke about the important work that AXREM does.
Dan Baines, AXREM Radiotherapy Convenor spoke about the work of the Radiotherapy Special Focus Group. Dan advised that when it comes to cancer treatment, radiotherapy is the quiet, unassuming treatment. Despite a modest shop front, there is a hugely dedicated, highly skilled, precise and slick network of staff & technology that deliver cancer treatment & hope to one in four of the UK population. At the end of Dan’s speech he advised that to improve outcomes for cancer patients tomorrow we must change how we do things today, lets reduce the Fear, provide more certainty for Hope of survival, and ensure the Trust in the system is not misplaced”.
Tim Farron MP spoke about the work of the APPG Radiotherapy and AXREM’s alignment to this work in the manifesto. Tim also made the point that our community is ‘the lobby’ and we will rise to his call to continue representing the interests of both healthcare professionals and their patients – and ultimately work to help improve cancer outcomes.
After the event Dan Bains, AXREM Radiotherapy Convenor said “This event was significant day in the AXREM calendar with the launch of the refreshed AXREM radiotherapy manifesto at Portcullis house by invite of Tim Farron MP and supported by AXREM members, representatives from IPEM, NHSSC, Radiotherapy UK, Tessa Jowell Brain Cancer Mission and Macmillan Cancer Support. The manifesto calls for urgent focus on three main areas for radiotherapy; leadership, funding and access all of which are vital to cancer care and patient outcomes in England.”
Professor Pat Price, who attended the event and is Founder of Radiotherapy UK said “There is such a strong energy for change right now – so many of us pushing to build a better future for cancer patients by showcasing the potential of treatments like radiotherapy. Our voice is becoming impossible to ignore and AXREM’s Parliamentary launch was a terrific event speaking loud and clear about the need for change and the how innovations within radiotherapy technologies and equipment can support this. It was an honour to be there. An honour to see the radiotherapy industry come together to improve outcomes for cancer patients. This is what we need, a huge collective, democratic call from every single person in the radiotherapy community to pick up government and take them with us.”
Sally Edgington, AXREM Chief Executive Officer said “I am really proud to lead an organisation where our members work so hard to champion patients getting the very best care. The innovative products and services our members provide ultimately save lives, and it is therefore important that patient have access to the very best equipment to ensure the best treatment and outcome”.
ENDS