Article in LabourList
A group of Labour MPs including and have joined with other politicians, campaigners and
public health experts to back the launch of the Tessa Jowell
Foundation.
The newly established organisation has been launched today on the
anniversary of the day the late Labour peer announced that she
had a brain tumour, and on what would have been her 73rd
birthday.
Also backing the foundation are Labour’s , and , Tory MPs
and Health Secretary , as well as Cancer Research UK Cambridge centre
director Professor Richard Gilbertson.
The foundation will be led by Jowell’s daughter Jess Mills with
support from other members of the former south London MP’s
family, and will focus on delivering her “public health
legacies”.
Commenting on the launch and Jowell’s legacy, Starmer said:
“Tessa was an inspiration. A true public servant, she strived
throughout her life to make this country a better place for all.
“She is sorely missed but lives on in the memories she gave us
and – from Sure Start to the Olympics and securing life-changing
cancer research funding – her incredible legacy.”
Jowell was the first ever UK minister for public health and used
the platform to develop and implement the Labour government’s
flagship Sure Start policy, designed to help give disadvantaged
children the best possible start in life.
More than 3,000 Sure Start centres were opened across the country
during Labour’s 13 years in power, but many were subsequently
closed when the coalition government took office in 2010.
The Labour leader added: “It was a personal privilege to work
with Tessa and call her my friend. It is fitting that her vision
and immense dedication will live on in the Tessa Jowell
Foundation.
“Her final campaign to transform brain cancer treatment inspired
us all and I wholeheartedly support the foundation in continuing
to drive this crucial work, giving patients the hope that Tessa
personified.”
Jowell was diagnosed with cancer in May 2017 and dedicated the
remainder of her life to campaigning for change to brain tumour
treatment funding and research. She passed
away at the age of 70 a year later.
Following a final parliamentary speech
from Jowell in 2018, the government committed to supporting the
Tessa
Jowell Brain Cancer Mission that brings together experts in
research, science, trials, technology and patient charities.
The foundation has stated that its starting focus will be to
“secure the delivery of the Tessa Jowell Brain Cancer Mission”
including the launch of the accreditation of ten Tessa
Jowell Centres of Excellence throughout the NHS in 2021.
The body will take a leadership role in the mission, which is
mainly made up of those affected by the illness, as well as
leading clinicians, forming its steering committee and four
working groups. It focuses on six key areas:
-
“Patient-led advocacy to support the development of data
sharing protocols and a registry;
-
“Improved access to experimental medicines;
-
“Collaboration with pharma in expediting drug repurposing
and trial development;
-
“Development of a clear timeline to reduce diagnosis;
-
“Implementation of new models of patient care, such as the
Cambridge model and appropriate measurement of patient
outcomes/satisfaction; and
-
“National roll out of the ‘pink drink’ and other proven
tools.”
Professor Gilbertson explained that the foundation will give the
mission a “more robust and stable level of support so that we can
deliver our transformational national strategy for brain cancer
treatment and care throughout the NHS”.
Ashworth described Jowell as an “inspiration”, adding: “We all
miss her desperately and remain dedicated to truly honouring her
memory by doing all we can to ensure the very best modern
treatment possible for those with brain cancer.”
Other Labour MPs added their tributes to the former minister.
Nandy said Jowell was “single minded in her belief that people
should be able to live richer, larger lives full of opportunity,
whatever their circumstances”.
Hayes, who replaced Jowell as the Dulwich and West Norwood MP,
said the foundation and the Tessa Jowell Centres of Excellence
will “deliver the step-change that Tessa was so passionate to
see, and which is so urgently needed”.
Health Secretary Hancock said Jowell’s “impact on others and the
legacy she left was achieved always with kindness, compassion and
with great integrity”. He added that her achievements “will be
with us for a long time to come”.
Jowell was first elected as an MP in 1992 and became the minister
for public health in 1997. She was appointed as the Culture,
Media and Sport Secretary in 2001 before serving as the Olympics
minister between 2005 and 2010.
She died aged 70 in May 2018 after being diagnosed with brain
cancer the previous year. Five months before her death, she
delivered a moving
speech in the House of Lords that received a rare and
emotional standing ovation.
