293 Harrogate and District NHS Foundation Trust patients faced two-month wait for cancer treatment last year

Following the announcement of the Government’s National Cancer Plan on Wednesday, Liberal Democrat MP for Harrogate and Knaresborough has slammed the cancer care crisis in our NHS, with thousands of cancer patients across the country facing agonisingly long waits to get the treatment they desperately need.  

The Liberal Democrats are campaigning for a guarantee that 100% of patients start treatment for cancer within 62 days from urgent referral, with this written into law. 

The party would deliver this through 200 extra staffed radiotherapy machines, new radiotherapy centres to end “radiotherapy deserts”, and over 3,000 more cancer nurses to ensure everyone has a specialist supporting them.   

Tom Gordon MP met with Health Minister Ashley Dalton in September 2025 to push for a National Cancer Plan that improves cancer outcomes in Yorkshire. Yorkshire has some of the worst cancer outcomes in the country, with people more likely to be diagnosed with and die from cancer than elsewhere. 

In this meeting Tom highlighted the key findings of the Yorkshire Cancer Research White Rose Cancer Report. Tom made clear that closing this gap must be a national priority if the government is serious about tackling deep-rooted health inequalities. 

Tom Gordon MP, Liberal Democrat MP for Harrogate and Knaresborough, said: 

“Cancer care is broken in our country. Too many people with cancer in my constituency are waiting months for the treatment that they desperately need, which is completely unacceptable. 

“Cancer services were left on their knees by the previous Conservative government, and Labour have done little so far to end this tragedy. Action must be taken now, and the Government must finally offer hope. 

“Liberal Democrats would write into law a guarantee for 100% of cancer patients to be treated within 62 days, backed by 200 new staffed radiotherapy machines and thousands of extra cancer nurses.”