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Cancer: Health Services

Asked by Dr Scott ArthurLabourDepartment of Health and Social CareTabled Answered 13 April 2026UIN 124430

The question

To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, when he plans to appoint the independent co-chair of the National Cancer Plan implementation board.

Answered by Mrs Sharon Hodgson

The National Cancer Plan, published on the 4 February 2026, sets out several commitments and ambitions, to be delivered within the next 10 years. The role of the reformed National Cancer Board will be to support and monitor the delivery of the commitments and ambitions and provide regular updates to ministers.

The board will be co-chaired by the Director General for Planned Care in the Department and an independent representative.

It is important to choose the most suitable appointment process for selecting an independent representative to co-chair the board. To ensure that the co-chair of the board is independent of the Government, officials from NHS England and the Department are carefully following the required appointments procedures. An appointment will be made following all required ministerial approvals.

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