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Written question asked by Chris Evans (Labour) on Wednesday, 12 November 2025, in the House of Commons. It was due for an answer on Monday, 17 November 2025. It was answered by Ashley Dalton (Labour) on Friday, 21 November 2025 on behalf of the Department of Health and Social Care.

Brain Cancer: Human Tissue

Question

To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what steps he is taking to deliver (a) workforce and (b) training requirements to support an expansion of fresh-freezing facilities for brain cancer tissue in the NHS.

Answer

There are currently no plans by the Department to expand fresh-freezing facilities for brain cancer tissue. Pathology services in England are delivered through 27 regional pathology networks, and offer a comprehensive range of tests, including the analysis of brain tissues.

Individual pathology services maintain their own standard operating procedures (SOPs) for fresh tissue samples and for the snap-freezing of tissue samples. These SOPs outline local capabilities and practices.

In the new year the Department will publish the National Cancer Plan. The plan will have patients at its heart and will cover the entirety of the cancer pathway, from referral and diagnosis to treatment and ongoing care, as well as research and innovation. The plan will seek to improve every aspect of cancer care to better the experiences and outcomes for all patient groups, including those with brain cancer.

Secondary information

Type
Written question
Reference
90178
Session
2024-26
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Subjects
Staff Research Training Refrigeration Brain cancer
Link
View this Written question on www.parliament.uk