Prime Minister Andy Burnham has announced a four-point programme intended to accelerate progress in brain cancer treatment following a Downing Street meeting with Scottish swimmer and campaigner Archie Goodburn.
Goodburn, 25, has campaigned for greater access to research and clinical trials after being diagnosed with an inoperable brain tumour. He met the Prime Minister and Health and Social Care Secretary Yvette Cooper on Wednesday, 14 October.
What has the government announced?
Downing Street set out four commitments:
- An immediate expert review: Professor Anthony Chalmers will lead an assessment of progress since the government's 2018 review of brain tumour research, identifying barriers to better outcomes. The review is expected to report within three months.
- A national action plan: Ministers say the review's findings will inform a plan to move promising treatments from research into patient care more quickly.
- A national brain cancer clinical lead: The Department of Health and Social Care will appoint a dedicated clinical lead to coordinate efforts. The appointment has not yet been announced.
- A faster review of rare-disease medicines rules: The Prime Minister has asked the Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA) to complete its review of rules governing orphan drugs in two years rather than three.
Clinical trials and patient involvement
The government also says patients, families and charities will help design efforts to increase participation in brain cancer clinical trials. Cooper is expected to convene a roundtable involving researchers, clinicians and charities.
According to the government, the National Institute for Health and Care Research currently supports 59 brain tumour studies, including 35 clinical trials. Ministers also pointed to £25 million announced in January 2026 for the NIHR Brain Tumour Research Consortium; that funding is not a new allocation announced as part of Wednesday's four-point plan.
Response to Archie Goodburn's campaign
Goodburn had publicly appealed for faster progress and better access to trials. Brain tumour charities welcomed the commitments while emphasising the need for meaningful improvements for patients and their families.
The announcement sets out a timetable for reviews and future action. It does not mean that new therapies have already been approved or that the proposed clinical leadership arrangements are in place.