Birmingham's Queen Elizabeth Hospital - cash boost would make it as impressive as its staff.

5.10.00pm BST (GMT +0100) Fri 3rd Apr 2009

Liz Lynne with Iona Atkinson and her mum Anne.

Liz Lynne, the LibDem Euro MP for the West Midlands, has called for a renewed focus on the treatment of childhood cancers during a visit to the Queen Elizabeth Hospital in Birmingham to tour the hospital's world class cancer unit.

Liz, who is Co- Chair of MEP's Against Cancer, a cross party group in the European parliament which campaigns for better access to cancer screening and treatment across Europe, was invited to the hospital to view its world class cancer centre.

During her visit Liz met with Iona Atkinson, a seven year old girl who has recently been undergoing treatment for a brain tumour at the cancer centre's specialist Young Person's Unit. Liz also met Iona's mum, Anne, who has been campaigning to raise awareness of brain tumours in children. Speaking after the visit Liz spoke of the need to improve awareness and care for young cancer sufferers and to build more specialist centres like the one at the Queen Elizabeth Hospital.

"I was delighted to meet Iona today and I am very glad to know that she has such world class doctors and nurses looking after her. We need to do more to raise awareness of childhood cancers.

Liz Lynne with Pauline Massey

"The expertise and dedication of the staff was impressive, but what they now need to become beacons of excellence within the European Union are resources to match their abilities.

Studies have shown that children who are treated in specialist units like the one at the Queen Elizabeth Hospital are more likely to recover from cancer which is why we need to ensure that we create more units across not only the UK but the rest of Europe."

"I have been working hard to push through proposed new EU laws which will make it easier for centers of excellence like the cancer unit at the Queen Elizabeth Hospital to share information and best practice with those in other European Union Member States.

"Cancer remains the second biggest killer in Europe and if we are to combat it then every EU country has to work together, sharing best practice and research in order to learn more about the disease and ultimately save lives."

ENDS