News Andy Burnham MP for Leigh

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22/12/2009 - New Year, new rights for patients in Leigh

Andy Burnham MP has welcomed new legal rights for patients that will come into effect in 2010.

The two new rights coming in from April are; seeing a cancer specialist within 2 weeks if your GP suspects you may have cancer. And all treatment, for any illness, should be within 18 weeks of GP referral.

Andy Burnham MP said, “In 2010 the Government is going to give more real power to patients. With legally enforceable rights for patients. This is a big step forward for patient rights and puts a lot more power in your hands."

“It will mean that, by law, if our local NHS Trust cannot meet these guarantees they will have to find you somewhere which can treat you as soon as possible. Even if it is in the private sector."

“I want to go even further than these guarantees. I support the Government's cancer pledge which is to give people the legal right to get tested for cancer and get results within one week of seeing your GP. And we also want to bring in the right to see a GP at weekends or in the evening, and to abolish practice boundaries for good."

“With this new power behind them, patients can be certain that they will receive the same high standards of care. This is about real power for patients in the Leigh area.”