The family of the late Dulwich and West Norwood MP Tessa Jowell marked the third anniversary of her death with news that nine hospital trusts across the UK are now working with them to transform care for brain cancer patients.
The Tessa Jowell Foundation was set up after the Labour politician passed away in May 2018 after suffering from a brain tumour.
Since her death, the foundation has focused on transforming treatment and care.
12,000 people are diagnosed with a brain tumour in the UK every year. They are often only found at later stages, with only 12 per cent of patients still alive five years after diagnosis.
This week, the charity announced it had launched a flagship network of Tessa Jowell Centres of Excellence in hospitals across the UK, with nine trusts awarded the star of excellence for their work after undergoing a ‘rigorous’ monitoring process.
In Southwark and Lambeth King’s Health Partners, King’s College Hospital & Guy’s and St Thomas’s Hospitals have been selected.
Also taking part in the project in London are St George’s University Hospital, Royal Marsden and Royal Surrey County and University College Hospital London NHS Foundation Trust.
Jess Mills, co-founder of the Tessa Jowell Brain Cancer Mission and Tessa’s daughter, said: “Mum’s mission throughout 50 years of her political life was to tackle systemic inequality.
“So, it was tragic whilst fitting, that her final campaign was a call to arms to create universal equality in access to excellence in cancer care throughout the NHS.
“It is with immeasurable pride that just three years later, the Tessa Jowell Brain Cancer Mission has begun the real-world translation of that vision into reality.
We are thrilled to have awarded nine centres for their excellent ongoing work for patients and commitment to support other centres in reaching the same level of excellence.
“ Shockingly, the UK still has one of the worst cancer survival rates in Europe, but in time, the Tessa Jowell Centres will make the UK a global leader in the treatment and care of brain tumour patients.
“We have a long way to go until the cutting edge of science is delivered to every patient, but this is a huge and transformational first step.”