Following the recent election results in Wales and Scotland, we welcome the opportunity to engage with leaders of these devolved nations, to prioritise patient outcomes.
As Plaid Cymru secured the largest number of seats in the Senedd, party leader Rhun ap Iorwerth MS has been sworn in as First Minister of Wales. The party has promised a government "for all of the people of Wales".
Reform UK became the official opposition in the Senedd. Despite political differences between the parties, commitments on cancer policy remain broadly aligned, with both Plaid Cymru and Reform UK supporting the development of a 10-year cancer plan for Welsh patients.
As part of our pre-election engagement, we sought commitments from Members of the Senedd to establish an All-Party Group on Brain Tumours. We will move quickly to support the creation of this group and ensure that the voices of supporters, patients and families affected by brain tumours are represented at its heart.
We remain committed to delivering on our campaigning priorities for increased research funding and improving access to innovative testing and clinical trials as set out in Our Plan for Change in Wales and look forward to engaging with returning and new members of the Senedd to work together to improve outcomes for brain tumour patients across Wales
In Scotland, the Scottish National Party (SNP) remains the largest party in Holyrood, with John Swinney as First Minister. However, the party does not hold a clear majority, so the SNP will likely seek a formal or informal coalition to form a government. The central focus of the new parliamentary session is expected to be the economy, healthcare reform, and the ongoing debate regarding a future independence referendum.
Importantly, the news that Finlay Carson MSP has retained his seat and will become the new Convener of the Cross-Party Group (CPG) on brain tumours is encouraging for the brain tumour community in Scotland. Three of the previous MSPs within the CPG retained their seats, and we are working hard to connect with new MSPs to invite them to join the group.
Finlay Carson MSP emphasised the significance of his new position, saying: “I am delighted to have been re-elected and honoured to have the opportunity to help establish the new Cross-Party Group on Brain Tumours in the Scottish Parliament. This group has already played an important role in shining a spotlight on issues that matter deeply to researchers, medical professionals, patients and families affected by brain tumours, and I am determined that this important work continues in the years ahead.
“The previous group, so ably led by Beatrice Wishart, achieved notable progress in raising awareness, improving understanding and ensuring that the voices of those affected by brain tumours were heard at the heart of policymaking. Beatrice’s shoes will be incredibly hard to fill, but I look forward to building on the strong foundations she established and working with colleagues, charities and campaigners to continue driving forward meaningful change for patients and their families.”
We look forward to building on Our Plan for Change in Scotland which urges parliamentarians to prioritise brain tumours, strengthen research support and expand collaboration.
Dr Karen Noble, our Director of Research and Policy, said: “Ahead of the elections in Wales and Scotland, Brain Tumour Research worked proactively to build relationships with candidates across all parties to ensure that after the results, we could continue important conversations about research funding, increased access to clinical trials and patient outcomes.
“We look forward to engaging constructively with both government and opposition parties in the devolved nations, to ensure the voices of the brain tumour patients are reflected throughout the development of the future health policies – and aligned with our manifesto recommendations which have received support from leading clinicians and charities across the brain tumour space.”
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