Thank you so much to everyone who has continued to support this petition. I’ve been a bit quiet lately because I’ve unfortunately been diagnosed with cancer again. Not breast cancer like last time but a very rare bladder cancer with only 47 reported cases before me! So I’m back on the hamster wheel of medical appointments, surgeries and scans!
Turning to the campaign I want to share some incredibly disappointing news. In the past 6 months I’ve been copied in on letters sent from Jo Churchill to various MPs who have contacted her giving their support to this campaign. Her response, which appears to be a standard letter, states that cancer patients are told to have a check up before treatment starts (WRONG) and that fluoride treatment would help to prevent issues (WRONG AGAIN). She has also replied to MPs stating that financial help is available for those on certain benefits. This is laughable as clearly she has no idea how much “help” you would get and that only a tiny proportion of cancer patients qualify. The “help” would never cover treatment costs! She has done nothing to change ANY of the issues I took to her. It’s still impossible to get an NHS dentist in many areas OR to have urgent treatment. Jo Churchill has had cancer herself so to peddle such misinformation is shameful. She admitted to me that it was impossible to get a dentist in her area but despite this she continues to ignore the many cancer patients who need a dentist and proper help with dental charges. We elect MPs to address important issues. Not sweep them under the carpet. THIS IS NOT GOOD ENOUGH
I’m appealing to you all to contact your MP again but this time asking him/her to contact Sajid Javid directly. It’s about time we went to the big cheese not the cheese string!
To do this, I need as many MPs as possible to write to the Health Secretary, Sajid Javid. Even if your MP contacted Jo Churchill before I think now is the time to bypass minions. If you have written to your MP before you may want to change the first paragraph of the letter below. To find your MP’s email address please use this link: https://members.parliament.uk/FindYourMP
Just type in your post code and then click on your MP and you should find their email and address details.
To make things easy, please could you copy and paste this next section into your email/letter: __________________________________
Dear [insert your MP’s name]
I am writing to ask if you would lend your support to this important campaign to provide free dental care for all cancer patients? You can read about the campaign here: https://www.change.org/p/free-dental-treatment-for-cancer-patients-change-the-law Jo Churchill previously had a meeting with the campaign starter but unfortunately has failed to understand this important issue. With the change in Health Secretary I would now like this campaign to be brought to the attention of Sajid Javid.
I'd be grateful if you could do any (or all) of the following:
(1) Raise a question in health questions or Prime Minister's Questions
(2) Request a debate on the subject from the Leader of House
(3) Call an adjournment debate
(4) Would you be willing to be part of an across party team to look at this issue?
I appreciate anything you can do as this is an important subject. Many cancer treatments have a negative effect on oral health and, at a time when people are not working due to having treatment, the cost needed to repair their teeth/gums may be out of reach. Pregnant ladies are given free dental care but not cancer patients. Not all cancer patients will need this help but for those that do, having some financial help would be one less thing to worry about.
Thank you
[Your name]