Hansard

I thank Clare Adamson for securing the debate and for her campaigning on the issue, which is an important one. A number of us have spoken in what has become an annual debate. I welcome the fact that we have such a commitment. As Clare Adamson did, I welcome to the public gallery the many campaigners who have pushed the Parliament in the right direction on this issue. It is important that we recognise them as advocates and crusaders around pancreatic cancer. We know why they do that, and we know why many of us want to speak in the debate: each of us will have lost a family member, a work colleague, a family friend or—given our job—even constituents. That is why we want things to improve. All of us, across all parties, agree on that.

In most years, the debate around pancreatic cancer awareness month will be consensual and will point to the making of welcome progress. However, I feel that this year is different, having spoken to campaigners and read the briefings that we have received ahead of the debate, which raise serious concerns, as Clare Adamson mentioned, about the Scot HPB pathway and the future opportunities that it presents. We need to raise those concerns in the debate. In the time that I have, I will concentrate my remarks on that.

As co-convener of the cross-party group on cancer, I have been made aware of the concerns about a move to a regional approach rather than the national approach to pancreatic cancer that was being developed by the Government very effectively and was welcomed by many people working in the cancer community. However, it feels as though that approach is now under threat. Pancreatic Cancer Action’s briefing for the debate makes specific reference to the fact that, in December 2023—a week before Christmas—the Scottish Government surprisingly announced that it was cancelling the project, despite significant improvements in outcomes for patients. Thanks to campaigning by patients—many of whom are in the public gallery—the Government eventually reversed that decision and restarted the project.

If we fast forward to now, we see the Golden Jubilee and other hospitals being ruled out as national hosts, with a push back towards having a regional model. I think that that would be a step backwards and hope that ministers, in response to this debate, will consider where we are today and how that national approach can be taken forward and developed as part of the Government’s national cancer strategy. We know the positive outcomes that that could have, particularly when treatment decisions are taken by multidisciplinary teams treating pancreatic cancer.

We have heard the call for action from charities and campaigners. I hope that, in responding to the debate, the minister will look at what has been outlined. I know that she has had briefings and is acutely aware of the concerns and hope that she will also agree to meet to discuss the situation with charities and with the members who have spoken in this debate. Scotland has made great progress, some of it world leading, but I am concerned that that is now at risk. We must deal with that and ensure that we get back on track.

As Clare Adamson outlined, the outcomes for pancreatic cancer patients are still not improving quickly enough. That model could have addressed that, so we must ensure that it is protected and taken forward.

I welcome the debate and the opportunity for us to raise the issue. I again congratulate all those involved in the awareness week and thank them for the work that they do all year round. We must ensure that that is celebrated and acknowledged by Parliament.