BU Research Blog

We are excited to report that the All-Party Parliamentary Group on Cancer (APPGC)  has invited the Whatever it Takes team to speak at their upcoming meeting entitled: ‘Making cancer care inclusive for all’.

The meeting, chaired by Elliot Colburn MP, will discuss some of the current inequalities that exist across the cancer pathway among those with protected characteristics, specifically those in the LGBTIQ+ community and Disabled and Neurodiverse people. Recent studies suggests that both groups report worse experience once on the cancer pathway with difficulties with respect to provision of information, communication and decisions regarding care.  Importantly, the meeting will also discuss what further action could be taken by the NHS and Governments across the UK to ensure everybody, no matter what their background, has equal access to the healthcare and support they need.

The Whatever it Takes Project is a collaboration between BU PIER Partnership, Wessex Cancer Alliance and Help and Care. PIER were funded by CRN Wessex to provide mentoring and support to Rosie and Katie, two Disabled and neuro-divergent community researchers, using the PIER community research model, to engage with a wide range of Disabled people across Wessex, to better understand the barriers and enablers for accessing Cancer Care. Dr Kate Jupp (PIER officer) and Stevie Corbin-Clarke (research assistant) with the support of Prof. Mel Hughes (Academic lead for PIER) worked alongside Katie and Rosie (community researchers with lived experience) and Amanda (specialist cancer nurse) throughout the project.

You can view the project film and report here

Katie and Rosie, along with colleagues from Macmillan and Help and Care, will be presenting the film and report at the APPGC at the Houses of Parliament next week.  The team have been invited to present the film and report after which the Chair will open the meeting to questions and comments from those in attendance including parliamentarians, charity and other health stakeholders.

The APPG on Cancer is an informal group bringing together MPs and Peers from across the political spectrum to debate key issues, and campaign together to improve cancer services. As well as parliamentarians, their meetings are usually attended by stakeholders working in the cancer and health space, including charities and local and national health organisations.

We hope to report back after the event