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Motion · S6M-10294 · 31 Aug 2023

Running On Empty Campaign on Travel Costs for Children and Young People with Cancer

Lodged by Brian Whittle Members' Business Motion 28 supporters

The motion

That the Parliament recognises September as Childhood Cancer Awareness Month, and that around 320 children and young people under the age of 25 are diagnosed with cancer in Scotland each year; understands that children and young people under 25 who have cancer, and their families, travel long distances to access specialised care, with research indicating that the average travel distance is over 400 miles per month in Scotland, which is reportedly 50 miles longer than the UK average; further understands that the average monthly spend for travelling to treatment for families and young people in the UK is £250, and 71% of families report that they are struggling with the costs of travel and that these costs negatively impact their budgets; understands that only 17% of families and young people in Scotland report accessing any support for the cost of travelling to their cancer treatment; notes the view that there is gap in the travel support that is available for day patients and outpatients, those aged 18 to 25, and those receiving treatment outwith Scotland; further notes reports of a significant underspend in the Young Patients Family Fund (YPFF); welcomes the #RunningOnEmpty campaign by Young Lives vs Cancer, and notes the calls for the Scottish Government to address the reported gaps in travel support available to children and young people with cancer by expanding the YPFF to allow those groups to access it, increase awareness of the YPFF to improve uptake, and conduct a review of the YPFF to evaluate its impact to date.

Supporters (28)

Source: the Scottish Parliament motions and amendments record.