Petition · past parliament

Guarantee treatment for people with cancer during Covid19 epidemic crisis.

Rejected 17 signatures

What the petition asks

Parliament to legislate to ensure the NHS protects treatment for patients with cancer, and prioritises people with a diagnosis of advanced cancer and in receipt of treatment.

This protection ensures the NHS continues to fulfil its obligation to UK citizens, paid for by citizens.
The NHS was founded to provide access to medical treatment and care at the point of need. British citizens have come to depend on the NHS to meet this commitment enshrined in law. Amongst the most vulnerable and dependent are those who have cancer and are widely regarded as a priority group for treatment. I want Parliament to ensure this commitment remains in all circumstances , including a time of crisis in demand for NHS resources.

Why it was rejected

It asked for something that is not the responsibility of the UK Government or Parliament.

Decisions about the provision of medical treatment during the current outbreak are a matter for NHS England and individual NHS trusts, and not the Government or Parliament.

The NHS has updated it's information on cancer treatment to refer to advice from Macmillan and Cancer Research UK on coronavirus and cancer: https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/cancer/

You can find out more about coronavirus and how you can protect yourself and others here:

www.gov.uk/coronavirus
https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/coronavirus-covid-19/

The Government has also created an online service to help you out what you can do if you’re struggling because of coronavirus: https://www.gov.uk/find-coronavirus-support

You can read NHS tips to help if you are worried about coronavirus here: https://www.nhs.uk/oneyou/every-mind-matters/coronavirus-covid-19-anxiety-tips

You can read impartial analysis of the Government response to coronavirus and policy developments here: https://commonslibrary.parliament.uk/coronavirus/

You may also be interested to know that because of the large number of petitions that have been started in relation to coronavirus, the Petitions Committee has been questioning the Government about its response to the coronavirus outbreak.

Find out more and watch the Committee put questions suggested by petitioners to Government Ministers and the Deputy Chief Medical Officer: https://committees.parliament.uk/committee/326/petitions-committee/news/145767/committee-question-deputy-chief-medical-officer-and-ministers-on-coronavirus-response/

Read letters asking further questions of Government Ministers: https://committees.parliament.uk/committee/326/petitions-committee/publications/3/correspondence/

Timeline

29 Mar 2020 Petition opened for signatures
13 May 2020 Rejected by the Petitions Committee

Key facts

Signatures 17
Status Rejected
Rejected 13 May 2020

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Source: the official petition page. Last checked 15 Jul 2026.