A major review has exposed stark geographical inequalities in the NHS care provided to children diagnosed with brain tumours in the UK. The findings, described as deeply concerning, reveal that a child's postcode can significantly influence their access to vital treatments and support services.
Uneven Care and a Mother's Anguish
The comprehensive analysis, conducted by the Tessa Jowell Brain Cancer Mission, was published on Wednesday 3 December 2025. It concluded that paediatric neuro-oncology services across the country suffer from a lack of standardisation. This inconsistency directly impacts young patients' opportunities to join clinical trials and their access to essential psychological support, rehabilitation, and play therapy.
Louise Fox, whose son George died from a brain tumour less than a year after his first symptom appeared, voiced the heartbreak of many families. She stated it is profoundly "not fair" that the quality of a child's treatment journey and the support available to them is dictated by where they live.
Calls for National Standardisation and Advanced Testing
Nicky Huskens, Chief Executive of the Tessa Jowell Brain Cancer Mission, echoed this sentiment, demanding immediate action. "A child's location should not affect their treatment and care," Huskens emphasised, calling for a concerted effort to ensure consistent high standards across the country.
In response to the report's alarming conclusions, the charity Brain Tumour Research issued a urgent plea to governments across the UK. They are advocating for two key changes to improve survival rates and care:
- Guaranteeing that all brain tumour patients are offered genome sequencing of their tumour.
- Dramatically expanding access to clinical trials for every patient, regardless of location.
The Reality of Glioblastoma
The report underscores the critical need for these reforms, particularly for aggressive cancers like glioblastoma. This type of brain tumour remains notoriously difficult to treat, and the variation in care pathways identified by the review means some children may be missing out on the most advanced and potentially life-extending options available elsewhere in the NHS.
The collective message from charities, medical professionals, and bereaved families is clear: the current postcode lottery in paediatric brain cancer care is unacceptable. There is now mounting pressure on health service leaders to implement a unified, national strategy to deliver equitable, world-class treatment to every child diagnosed with this devastating disease.
