National Clinical Director for Cancer at NHS England addresses APPG for Diagnostics
25/05/2023
The second meeting of the All-Party Parliamentary Group (APPG) for Diagnostics took place in Westminster on 24th May.
Maggie Throup, Member of Parliament for Erewash and former Health Minister recently hosted the second meeting of the All-Party Parliamentary Group (APPG) for Diagnostics, with IPEM representatives in attendance as part of the APPG's Advisory group.
At the meeting, the APPG heard from Professor Peter Johnson, the National Clinical Director for Cancer at NHS England. Professor Johnson outlined the importance of an early diagnosis and the role that diagnostic services play in improving patient outcomes. Professor Johnson shared that Community Diagnostic Centres (CDCs) had been growing in capacity, with 106 CDCs in operation delivering some 3 million diagnostics tests, checks and scans and a goal to reach 160 CDCs and 9 million by May 2025.
Maggie said: “It was great to have a range of parliamentarians, charities and wider diagnostic organisations join us for our recent APPG for Diagnostics meeting. I would also like to thank Professor Johnson for joining us. It was brilliant that we were able to hear from such a prominent figure in the area of cancer diagnostics.
“Professor Johnson gave attendees an insight on some of the key issues relating to cancer diagnostics. He also discussed the importance of an early diagnosis and the role that diagnostic services play in improving patient outcomes. It was a fascinating session and led to an engaging debate with other key stakeholders.
“I would like to thank everyone for joining us for what was a fantastic meeting. The APPG for Diagnostics plans to conduct a short inquiry, with the aim of providing a blueprint for how Community Diagnostic Centres should operate in the longer term.
“Our first roundtable on the current state of Community Diagnostic Centres will be held on 21st June 2023.”
The APPG for Diagnostics purpose is to highlight the value of diagnostics, promote the diagnostic workforce, and improve diagnostic services by raising awareness of the barriers and solutions to optimising the early and swift diagnosis of diseases, illnesses, and injuries.
The APPG for Diagnostics is being supported by the Royal College of Pathologists and the Royal College of Radiologists. More information about the APPG for Diagnostics can be found online here.