Chloe SmithMP for Norwich North
Chloe SmithChloe Smith, Member of Parliament for Norwich North will on Monday 18th April 2016, be speaking in the Westminster Hall Debate on Brain Tumour Research to provide feedback from local support group.
On Wednesday 6th April, Chloe visited the Norfolk Brain Tumour Support Group at their base at the Norfolk and Norwich University Hospital, where she met with brain tumour patients and carers. Chloe was able to listen to their stories and experiences first-hand and learn more about the challenges faced by those living with a diagnosis of brain tumour.
Chloe will speak in the Westminster Hall Debate on Monday afternoon about her experience visiting the Norfolk Brain Tumour Support Group and will put forward her constituents’ concerns and experiences. Chloe will express her constituents’ concerns for the need for greater research into brain tumours and their treatments.
Chloe comments: “I am glad to have been able to meet with the Norfolk Brain Tumour Support Group ahead of the Westminster Hall Debate, to learn first-hand about their experiences of living with and caring for those diagnosed with brain tumours. I shall be raising their concerns during the debate about brain tumour research.”
Chloe has recently written to the Parliamentary Under Secretary of State for Life Sciences on behalf of constituents’ whose son has a brain tumour, raising the issue of the need for greater research into brain tumours and awareness on the condition.
In his reply, the Parliamentary Under Secretary of State for Life Sciences stated that “The Government and charities work closely together in cancer research, including brain tumour research, through the National Cancer Research Institute.
“Department officials are discussing with the Brain Tumour Charity what can be done to further raise awareness of brain tumours.”
NCRI partner organisations take into account a number of factors when making funding decisions including scientific opportunity, research potential, fundraising levels, the burden of the disease and the quality and size of the research workforce.
The proportion of cancer research funding directly supporting brain tumour research is relatively low, currently standing at around 1.5 per cent. However, a lot of funding is spent on fundamental research and funding relevant to all cancers.
National Institute for Health Research welcomes funding applications for research into any aspect of human health, including brain tumours. These applications are subject to peer review and judged in open competition, with awards being made on the basis of the importance of the topic to patients and the NHS, value for money and scientific quality. The Government also welcomes the commitment by Cancer Research UK to increase their investment in research on brain tumours, which in turn will drive further investment by the NIHR
The Norfolk Brain Tumour Support Group hold regular meetings at the Norfolk and Norwich University Hospital on the first Wednesday of every month at the Big C centre. For more information about The Norfolk Brain Tumour Support Group please visit: http://www.big-c.co.uk/support/support-groups-near-you.aspx or call 01603 289705.