A blog by Luke Akehurst about politics, elections, and the Labour Party - With subtitles for the Hard of Left. Just for the record: all the views expressed here are entirely personal and do not necessarily represent the positions of any organisations I am a member of.
As someone currently being treated with radiotherapy for cancer by the fantastic team at UCLH - and slowly getting better - I'm backing this Labour campaign:
posted by Luke Akehurst at 9:56 pm
Labour MP for North Durham since 2024. Labour Party activist since 1988 - firmly on the moderate wing of the party. Member of Labour’s NEC 2010-2012 and since 2020. National Secretary of Labour Students 1995-6. Parliamentary candidate for Aldershot (2001) and Castle Point (2005). Hackney Councillor (Chatham Ward) 2002-2014, Labour Group Chief Whip 2002-09, Chair of Health Scrutiny 2010-2014. Dad. Unite and GMB union member. All views expressed in a personal capacity. The rest will become evident from reading the blog.
5 Comments:
"Everyone with suspected cancer should have the right to see a specialist within two weeks."
Within two weeks of what? Within two weeks of suspecting you have a problem? Or within two weeks of first seeing your GP? Or within two weeks of your GP diagnosing you?
I agree with the sentiment but the ePetition is vague and poorly drafted.
In recent years I've been diagnosed and treated for two forms of cancer, basel cell carcinoma and prostate cancer. But in neither case was it urgent and insisting that I see a specialist for those kinds of cancer within two weeks would probably drained precious resources away from more needy but less fashionable areas of the NHS (such as trauma, mental health services, rehabilitation, urology, etc).
I hope your treatment is going well.
4:46 am, June 30, 2009
I couldn't agree more....nothing worse than thinking about cancer for months until you receive treatment.
What they also need to resolve is the problem of people ignoring the symptoms or even worse doctors fobbing you off.
Cancer if caught early can be cured...left and the chances plummet.
The problem is now Labour can't afford the radical reforms they want. 10 years too late and isn't it funny how almost certain defeat forces Labour into traditional ground.
The electorate have now made up their minds....the next government won't be Labour.
6:24 pm, June 30, 2009
Glad you're getting better, Luke.
8:56 pm, June 30, 2009
Good to hear that you are on the mend, even if it is slow.
9:15 am, July 02, 2009
Very good to hear you are getting better Luke.
8:46 pm, July 07, 2009
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