VerbatimParliament, as it happens

Rare Cancers: Health Services

Asked by Mr Andrew SnowdenConservativeDepartment of Health and Social CareTabled Answered 25 June 2026UIN 10030

The question

To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, whether a National Specialty Lead for rare cancers has been appointed, in the context of the Rare Cancers Act 2026.

Answered by Preet Kaur Gill

The Government will implement the Rare Cancers Act 2026 by ensuring that a National Specialty Lead for Rare Cancers is appointed by summer 2026.

The National Specialty Lead will be based in the National Institute for Health and Care Research (NIHR) Research Delivery Network (RDN) and will support research delivery for rare cancers research.

National specialty leads are part time roles that are appointed through a competitive process as a secondment to the University of Leeds who provide the NIHR RDN Coordinating Centre working with and on behalf of the Department. The role has been advertised nationally, and a recruitment process is underway.

Verbatim has judged this answer against the question that was actually asked — answered, partly answered, or evaded. Sign in to see the verdict →

Open this question in Verbatim →

Every written question, searchable

155,000 questions tabled since the election, with the answer each department gave — and the ones still unanswered, with the clock running. Free to search.

Search written questions →Read on Verbatim