Scottish Cancer Coalition
The Scottish Cancer Coalition exists to ensure the needs of people living with cancer in Scotland are met. Member charities have a range of expertise and experiences, but have a shared vision for collective action to make a difference for Scottish cancer patients.
The Coalition celebrates the strength and diversity of the voluntary sector. Between the member charities, they provide support, information and advice to thousands of people affected by cancer each year.
In 2003 the Scottish Cancer Coalition was created to support and challenge Ministers, MSPs, the Scottish Government and NHS Scotland to develop and deliver first class cancer research, prevention and treatment services. The Coalition was launched with the support of the Health Minister and other MSPs.
They are currently campaigning for:
- Improvements in public information and education aimed at cancer prevention
- Equitable access to treatment, care and services for all
- Consistently high quality services
- Coordination of research
- The involvement of patients as the norm in how research and services are designed, delivered and monitored
The Coalition meets regularly to discuss the Scottish cancer policy landscape and areas for collaboration. The members also represent the Coalition on different external working groups throughout Scotland, including the Scottish Parliament’s Cross Party Group on Cancer and the Scottish Cancer Taskforce.
As individual members we are available to provide information, advice and support on the specific cancers we represent, and engage on health policy affecting individual cancers.
Scotland's Cancer Action Plan
In 2008, Better Cancer Care, An Action Plan was launched by the Scottish Government. It sets out the Scottish Governments commitment to improve cancer services in Scotland. The Action Plan spells out actions to improve the prevention and detection of cancers, and to ensure cancer patients receive the highest quality diagnosis, referral, treatment and support.
The Scottish Cancer Coalition played a key role in the development of the Action Plan, providing the Scottish Government with collective views and feedback on what is required in Scotland to support people living with and beyond Scotland.
Following publication of the Action Plan, the Coalition is maintaining a keen eye on how it develops into action. The Coalition has a seat on the Scottish Cancer Taskforce, the group tasked with overseeing the overall delivery of the Action Plan. The Coalition is also represented by member organisations on the various sub-groups taking forward specific areas of action.
Scottish Cancer Coalition Priorities
The Scottish Cancer Coalition welcomed the work of the Scottish Cancer Taskforce in progressing the aims of Better Cancer Care since 2008 and looks forward to seeing continued momentum in the areas where improvements are already underway.
There are, however, a number of other important areas for which less progress has been made to date.
The Scottish Cancer Coalition has up-dated its Priorities Paper to reflect where it thinks progress has been made and setting out the issues where it wants to see a renewed and greater focus on as it moves forward.
The Scottish Cancer Coalition Priorities Paper is designed to be dynamic and priorities will be kept under regular review.