Bereaved mum from Bedfordshire says postcode lottery of care for children with brain cancer is ‘unfair’
A new report finds children with brain tumours face "uneven" NHS care depending on where they live
Last updated 3rd Dec 2025
A mum from Bedfordshire who lost her 13-year-old son to brain cancer says it is "not fair" that a child's care can depend on where they live.
It comes as a new report finds children with brain tumours face "uneven" NHS care due to a postcode lottery.
The Tessa Jowell Brain Cancer Mission has identified gaps in the care children with brain tumours may face - highlighting a number of concerns about testing, wraparound care and a lack of access to clinical trials in some parts of the country.
Louise Fox’s son George died from a glioblastoma in 2022 when he was just 13.
The 51-year-old, from Bedfordshire, said: "George had a devastating 11.5 months from the first headache to losing his life, one he so desperately wanted to live to its fullest.
"During his illness, we encountered moments of exceptional care, but we also faced stark disparities in access geographically and in support services.
"It became heartbreakingly clear: whether a child lives in London, Newcastle, or a small town or village can determine the treatment journey they receive. This is not fair.
"Every child deserves the best care, wherever they live."
Speaking to Greatest Hits Radio, she added: “We had to take George abroad for some hope of trying to save him because he had a nought percent chance of survival. We don't believe any family should have to fundraise to take their child abroad.
“It just adds so much more trauma and stress onto the situation and obviously not all families are able to do that. So that makes it even more unfair.”
Ms Fox also says “he was going through so much barbaric treatments through the NHS that haven't changed in decades.
“It was just horrific, it was traumatic, but he faced it really bravely and always with a smile, but it could be very different.”
Findings from report:
The Tessa Jowell Brain Cancer Mission conducted a review of the UK's paediatric neuro-oncology system, examining 15 out of 17 services.
- Concerns over delays in genetic testing and whole genome sequencing.
- Shortages of rehabilitation staff in some centres and particular concerns about access to specialist rehabilitation for children who lived far away from the hospital.
- Only half of patients had access to a play specialist, and education support was not uniform.
- Only a small number of centres offered clinical trials to patients who lived far away from the hospital or centre.
The authors of the report said there is a "lack of standardisation" in quality of care for patients which can lead to "substantial variation" in important services including psychological care, rehabilitation or play therapy.
"This key challenge is apparent in patient feedback, which demonstrates uneven experiences and outcomes for children and their families, depending on where they receive treatment," they wrote.
They added: "There are notable disparities in access to clinical trial opportunities... a particular challenge is ensuring patients who live far from large academic centres can still participate in new research."
Minister for Public Health and Prevention, Ashley Dalton said: "Every child deserves equal access to treatment for brain cancer, regardless of where they live.
“I know what it feels like to receive a cancer diagnosis, and how critical the support is in those first few days, weeks and months.
"We're committed to giving all cancer patients access to clinical trials if they want them, and we're proud to support the Rare Cancers Bill which will streamline trial recruitment, helping researchers connect with patients more easily.
"We will continue to support the excellent work of the Tessa Jowell Centre of Excellence. In the meantime, we will also keep making progress on cutting cancer waiting times - building on the 193,000 more patients receiving a diagnosis for suspected cancer on time in the last 12 months.”