People living with brain cancer will get a faster route from research to treatment, under four steps set out by the Prime Minister.
This follows the Prime Minister and Health Secretary’s meeting in Downing Street with Archie Goodburn today, the 25-year-old swimmer with inoperable brain cancer who made an emotional plea to the Prime Minister on BBC Breakfast.
Archie has campaigned for faster progress on brain cancer, and today’s steps build on the issues raised:
An immediate expert review, led by Professor Anthony Chalmers, Chair of the Brain Tumour Group within the UK Collaborative for Cancer Clinical Research, reporting within three months. Leading brain cancer experts will assess what has changed for patients since a 2018 government review, and what is still holding progress back.
A national action plan to follow. The review’s findings will shape a plan to get new treatments out of the lab and to patients faster.
A new national brain cancer clinical lead to drive this work forward, appointed by the Department of Health and Social Care.
The Prime Minister has asked the MHRA to complete its review of the rules for medicines that treat rare conditions - known as orphan drugs - in two years rather than three. Bringing forward any changes to these rules could help patients get promising new treatments sooner.
Alongside this, patients, families and charities will help design a drive to get more people onto clinical trials.
Source: Gov.UK, 14 October 2026
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