Rt Hon Sir Julian Smith KCB CBE MP visited the Yorkshire Cancer Research shop in Ripon on Thursday, 17 October, where he met with staff and volunteers. The visit was organised as part of his support for the charity's new campaign, “Change Yorkshire’s Cancer Story.” The initiative calls for a long-term cancer strategy to address the specific challenges faced by residents in the region.
During his visit, Julian spoke to staff and volunteers about the campaign, which focuses on making early diagnosis a priority by reducing barriers to accessing GP and screening appointments. According to Yorkshire Cancer Research, around a fifth of cancer cases in Yorkshire are diagnosed through emergency routes - the highest rate in England - often leading to late-stage diagnoses that complicate treatment and diminish the chances of positive outcomes.
The campaign also emphasises the need for improved cancer treatment, advocating for better integration of prehabilitation and rehabilitation services for patients. Julian highlighted the importance of these services, noting that proactive measures can significantly enhance patient recovery and quality of life.
The Ripon shop has also recently undergone a full refurbishment. During his visit Julian spoke to Mary, Yorkshire Cancer Research’s Retail Area Manager, who outlined the changes to the store following the refurbishment. The changes include moving the cash desk to the back of the shop to ease customer flow, a department store style layout, new flooring, style tables, colour blocked ladies fashion and improved product placement.
After the visit, Julian said, “It was great to meet the dedicated team at the Yorkshire Cancer Research shop in Ripon and learn more about the shop’s refurbishment. I support the Change Yorkshire’s Cancer Story campaign and will continue to advocate for these important issues in Parliament, ensuring that Yorkshire’s cancer story is firmly on the agenda.”
Hannah Pilling, Policy and Public Affairs Manager at Yorkshire Cancer Research said: “It was a pleasure to welcome Sir Julian Smith to the Ripon shop today. As well as demonstrating the impact of the charity's growing network of shops, Sir Julian heard about the Active Together programme and how it benefits his constituents. The charity also outlined some of the challenges in obtaining up-to-date and detailed local health data, which is vital in helping to build an accurate picture of cancer landscape across Yorkshire. Yorkshire Cancer Research is grateful to Sir Julian for taking such an interest in its work and for his ongoing support.”
The shop is located in the heart of Ripon at 11 The Arcade, Ripon, HG4 1NZ.
