A national brain cancer lead and faster treatment: Hitchin MP Alistair Strathern says the new plan is a win for campaigner Hayley Conroy and local families.

The Government is to appoint a national clinical lead for brain cancer, review how much progress has been made on the disease since 2018 and act to get patients treated sooner. Hitchin’s MP, Alistair Strathern, says the plan is a win for local families who have campaigned for change for years, among them Hitchin grandmother Hayley Conroy.

The announcement followed a campaign by Commonwealth Games swimmer Archie Goodburn, who was diagnosed with three inoperable brain tumours when he was 22 and has used his platform to call for more focus on research and treatment. But the MP’s office says it also follows many years of work by campaigners closer to home.

Graphic listing the three brain cancer measures announced by the Government: a new national brain cancer clinical lead, a review of brain cancer progress since 2018, and action to get patients treatment sooner
The three measures in the Government's brain cancer announcement. Graphic by Stevenage Today
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Lily’s story, raised in Parliament

Hayley Conroy, a trustee of the Brain Tumour Charity, lives in the Hitchin constituency. Her granddaughter, Lily May Betts, was diagnosed with a brain tumour when she was just 12 months old, and Hayley left her job to care for her.

Since Mr Strathern was elected in 2024, she has worked closely with him and with the charity to raise awareness in Parliament of the particular challenges faced by people with brain tumours. The MP has raised Lily’s story directly with a minister and in debates.

“Thank you to Hayley”

Mr Strathern said: “This fantastic news is a win for local campaigners like Hayley, who has worked tirelessly to raise awareness of brain tumours and the devastating toll they can take on patients and their families.

“Brain tumours aren’t preventable, there is currently no routine screening programme, and even low-grade ones can have life-limiting consequences.

“While there is still more to do, the appointment of a national clinical lead and a renewed focus on improving treatment pathways are important steps forward. I will continue to support efforts to secure better care, better research and better outcomes.

“Thank you to Hayley and all of the families right across the country who campaigned to make this possible.”

The Brain Tumour Charity’s website is thebraintumourcharity.org.