Our manifesto at a glance

1. Deliver and fully fund the existing 10-year Cancer Strategy for Scotland

• The current Cancer Strategy contains commitments to restore and improve cancer services in Scotland.
• Many of the 136 actions are already having a positive impact on the blood cancer community.
• However, a lack of long-term sustainable funding is hampering the delivery of key actions.

2. End the current and worsening blood cancer workforce crisis

• The blood cancer workforce in Scotland is doing an exceptional job in unacceptable circumstances.
• In Scotland, 12.7% of consultant haematology posts are vacant, and 19.7% are due to retire in the next 3 years.

3. Ensure more people with blood cancer are diagnosed earlier through non-emergency pathways

• A timelier diagnosis of blood cancer can improve a patient's experience.
• 35% of people in Scotland with blood cancer saw their GP three times or more before being referred.
• Around 30% of new blood cancer cases are diagnosed in A&E.

4. Expand Scotland's genomic capabilities with the necessary funding and infrastructure

• Genomic testing is crucial for determining the kindest and most effective treatment plan for patients.
• Without long-term funding, patients could experience treatment delays or miss out on research opportunities.

5. Create national incentives for health boards to establish more charity partnerships

• 58% of people with blood cancer are not aware of the emotional or practical support available to them.
• Blood Cancer UK is ready to support people after diagnosis with its Referral Service, but we need NHS backing.

6. Foster an environment where both academic and commercial cancer research can flourish

• The blood cancer community is calling on health leaders to harness the benefits of cancer clinical research.
• But it's becoming more difficult to deliver research and taking too long to set up clinical trials.
• We need leadership and assurances that cancer research will be supported.

7. Urgently review how blood cancer data is collected, categorised, analysed, and published

• To make the best clinical decision for each patient, clinicians must be able to see all the information they need.
• Blood cancer is complex and the current data infrastructure in Scotland doesn't accommodate its complexity.