I joined the Evosheld UK Facebook page where there is a strong campaign for the government to authorise Evusheld.
We were asked to write to our MPs and ask for the question to raised on the House of Commons. I have written several letters to my MP and generally get a stock reply.
Here is the latest reply.
Thank you for contacting me about support for people living with leukaemia.
I recognise that the Covid-19 pandemic has had a significant impact on many people currently living with Leukaemia and other conditions. Leukaemia Care has rightly highlighted the need to provide further support to patients who have been waiting longer for treatment as a result of the Covid-19 pandemic, particularly around their mental health.
In response to the millions of patients awaiting elective treatment, NHS England has recently launched the "My Planned Care" platform to inform patients on a range of specific conditions which will enable them to support their own health while they are waiting.
I also hope that it provides some reassurance that the Government has recognised the impact of the pandemic on mental health more broadly, providing £2.3 billion of funding each year for these services, plus an additional £500 million of funding allocated in 2021/22 to support the Mental Health Recovery Action Plan.
There is also excellent existing information and support available from patient groups.
Thank you for contacting me about the campaign. With on average over 4,000 deaths from leukaemia each year across the UK, improving procedures to help treat this disease remains imperative. I am pleased that the Government has committed over £228 million to this end since 2010.
As you state, early diagnosis of leukaemia is often difficult due to the often vague and unclear nature of symptoms. I note Blood Cancer UK’s campaign to seek a reduction in diagnosis delays through new measuring processes and improved GP support.
Since 2015, the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) has guided GPs to consider an urgent full blood count within 48 hours should adults present with suspicious symptoms.
It is encouraging that leukaemia survival rates have more than quadrupled in the last 40 years, and the Government is committed to ensuring that this trend continues.
We now have a new Prime Minister and a new Health Secretary and I am happy to raise Leukaemia Care UK’s 'Spot Leukaemia' campaign with the new health minister in due course.
Thank you again for contacting me.
Kind regards,
Greg
Rt Hon Sir Greg Knight MP
Perhaps people may consider writing to their MPs. We are hopeful that with a new Prime Minister and Health Secretary something may get done.