The launch of the Tessa Jowell Centre of Excellence for children
We are proud to be closely involved in the newly developed Tessa Jowell Centre of Excellence for Children. This new initiative aims to recognise paediatric oncology centres that provide excellent treatment for children with brain tumours and their families.
The programme aims to uncover gaps and work to improve practice in treatment centres across the UK. It is the first of its kind to understand and assess paediatric brain cancer care across the UK to help identify areas that need more work. Currently, more children die from brain tumours than any other type of cancer, so this truly will help save lives.
Dr Jen Kelly, our CEO was initially approached to become a member of their Designation Committee and our involvement has grown from there.
We are proud to have provided support in the building of a detailed evidence base, reviewing the standards of excellence and in the development of application forms for specialist centres.
We will also be involved in the assessment and interview process of national centres when they apply.
It has been an honour to be involved in such vital work that we hope will be pivotal in the treatment of brain tumours in children in the UK. By professionals and organisations working together, we have a chance to make a difference to so many lives.
Dr Jen Kelly, CEO
Following Dame Tessa Jowell’s moving call for action to the House of Lords in 2018 to improve brain tumour outcomes, the Tessa Jowell Brain Cancer Mission was formed to design a new national strategy for brain tumours.
Since, the national effort has grown in scale and size resulting in a national portfolio of eight transformational programmes. The mission is unique in that it unites academics, healthcare professionals, patients and a number of organisations to deliver innovative programmes to improve the survival rates of people with brain tumours.
The success of the Tessa Jowell mission in improving standards of care for brain tumours in adults has no doubt saved countless lives. Following on from their success, the Tessa Jowell Brain Cancer mission has now extended to launch a Tessa Jowell Centre of Excellence for Children.
About brain tumours in children
Childhood cancer remains a leading cause of death of children in the UK. Brain tumours are the second most common type of cancer in children, forming a quarter of all diagnoses. Whilst treatment outcomes for some brain tumour types have improved, there are some tumour types with extremely poor survival rates. This is why organisations working together to make a change in the way children are treated is so vital.
For more information, please contact:
Dr Jen Kelly, CEO Grace Kelly Childhood Cancer Trust, jenkelly@gkcct.org
