THIS WEEK the Labour party in England set out plans to develop and expand the cancer drugs fund introduced by the Conservative-led UK government. It was a surprising U-turn from a party that had never before supported the fund. But a hugely welcome one.

In contrast, this week the Labour party in Wales called that same fund ‘political’ and once again refused to introduce anything similar in Wales. This contrast leaves Welsh cancer patients and their families suffering the ongoing effects of a tragic postcode lottery. Cancer treatments readily accessible through England’s Cancer Drugs Fund are not routinely available for Welsh patients.

It can’t be right that patients are forced to up house and move to England just to get the cancer drug they need. It can’t be right that Welsh cancer patients are forced to spend their life savings paying for those drugs when, just a few hours drive away at most, patients are getting them for free. It isn’t right. Welsh Conservatives have been calling for a Cancer Treatments Fund for years.

It’s now time for the inequality to end. Welsh Labour has run out of excuses.

Darren Millar AM, Welsh Conservative Shadow Minister for Health