Brain: Tumours

The Department has demonstrated our commitment to transforming diagnostic services through a £2.3 billion investment into diagnostic capacity, which will provide the National Health Service with the tools they need to deliver an additional 9.5 million tests by 2029. However, we know that there is a lot more to do.

The  National Cancer Plan, published in February 2026, aims to redesign cancer services around people’s lives, not just around hospitals, recognising that more people are living for longer with and beyond cancer and need ongoing, coordinated support.   More cancer care and support will be delivered closer to home, including a universal digital-first prehabilitation offer, expanded supportive oncology, greater use of virtual monitoring, with growing opportunities for treatment and follow-up in community settings where safe and appropriate.

Where appropriate, every person diagnosed with cancer will have access to personalised care, including needs assessment, a care plan and health and wellbeing information and support. This includes provision of information, empowering people to manage their care and the impact of their cancer. Personalised care ensures that each person’s care is planned holistically, covering mental and physical health as well as any practical or financial concerns, with support increasingly delivered through neighbourhood services and accessible digitally through the NHS App.

Additionally, as part of stage 2 of the development of the Diagnosis Connect Programme, the department will work with cancer charities, including those from rare cancers, so that patients can be connected to patient led communities and sources of expert support and advice.