Gosport MP marks resumption of cancer taskforce
By Linden Grigg
GOSPORT MP, Dame Caroline Dinenage, has welcomed an official announcement from the Department of Health & Social Care regarding the designated Children and Young People Cancer Taskforce; which will shortly resume its vital work to shift the dial on diagnosing and treating childhood cancer after a four month pause implemented by Labour MPs.
This announcement was made on Tuesday (February 4) to mark World Cancer Day and will see the Gosport MP return as co-chair after three years of campaigning; which involved the first ever childhood cancer debate in the House of Commons during April 2022 and the creation of the taskforce by the former Conservative Government in February 2024.
Ms Dinenage’s efforts have been inspired by local constituent Charlotte Fairall; whose daughter Sophie passed away in September 2021 after a year’s battle with Rhabdomyosarcoma and inspired the charity ‘Sophie’s Legacy’ as the story captured the hearts of the local community.
The Gosport MP held a meeting with Ms Fairhall just 10 days after Sophie’s passing and they have attended several sessions on a range of subjects from genomics to paediatric oncology; helping to gather information about issues and indeed potential solutions.
Once created a series of initial sprints with experts in research, treatments and diagnostics took place in the spring; all of which came together to ensure an agreement on the first deliverable action points. However the Government signalled their intention to pause the taskforce’s work in September, with Secretary of State for Health & Social Care Wes Streeting saying at the time:
“I would be delighted to meet her to talk about the genesis of the task force and how we can take forward the outcomes that she wants to see. What we are trying to avoid is a plethora of task forces, and the risk that we’ve sometimes seen – and this is not a party political point, because this spans successive governments – of task forces being an alternative for action.”
Following the taskforce’s resumption it will support the National Cancer Plan as it is published later this year; the Government using this document to set out targeted actions to reduce lives lost to one of the biggest killers, continue improving survival rates, and improve the experience of patients along their cancer journey.
It will also include specific actions for rarer cancers such as those affecting children with the taskforce playing a huge part; Ms Dinenage and Professor Darren Hargrave appointed as its co-chairs alongside Dr Sharna Shanmugavadivel as vice-chair. Subsequent meetings later this year will confirm the work programme.
Ms Dinenage commented: “On World Cancer Day, it should escape nobody’s attention that cancer is the biggest cause of death by illness for children under 14 in the UK. So I am thrilled that it has been confirmed that the Taskforce will resume its vital work improving the way we detect, treat and care for children and young people with cancer.”
The Shadow Secretary of State for Health & Social Care, the Rt Hon Edward Argar MP, added: “I very much welcome the re-launch of the Children and Young People’s Cancer Taskforce which is an important step toward improving cancer care for younger people. It brings together experts to create a unified approach for better treatment, support, and outcomes. By focusing on the unique needs of children and young people, the taskforce will aim to ensure that these patients receive world-leading, innovative care.”
“This Taskforce was first launched last year under the previous government and whilst it was suspended following the General Election, I am pleased it will be able to continue its valuable work now under the Co-Chairmanship of Dame Caroline Dinenage MP and Professor Darren Hargrave.”
Founder of Sophie’s Legacy, Charlotte Fairall, added her own thoughts: “Sophie’s Legacy welcomes the government’s relaunch of the Children and Young People’s Cancer Taskforce as a vital step towards improving outcomes for young cancer patients across the UK.”
“Too many children and young people face devastating delays in diagnosis, limited treatment options, and a lack of tailored support during and after their cancer journey. Sophie’s Legacy has worked tirelessly for over three years with the government to create change for children and young people with cancer.”
She concluded: “We urge the government to ensure this taskforce delivers meaningful action—faster diagnosis, better treatments, and dedicated support services for children, young people, and their families. We look forward to working collaboratively with policymakers, healthcare professionals, and other charities to turn promises into progress. Every child deserves the best possible chance at life. Let’s make this relaunch count.”
PICTURED BY DAME CAROLINE DINENAGE MP MEDIA: The Gosport MP has been confirmed as the co-chair for the taskforce, which will resume its work after a pause implemented by the Labour Government.
