Twenty-one Ukrainian children will receive lifesaving cancer treatment in England after being brought over by the Government with the support of Polish authorities and clinicians. The children and their immediate family members landed in England this evening (Sunday) from Poland and will be triaged by NHS clinicians to understand their health needs before being sent to NHS hospitals in England to continue their care.
The vital and in many cases lifesaving cancer treatment will be provided free of charge by the health service across hospitals in England. Hospitals in Poland have taken in many children needing health care who have arrived from Ukraine. With more children crossing the border requiring immediate treatment, the UK has responded to Poland’s call for support from international partners to provide additional care.
The UK partnered with St Jude Children’s Research Hospital, a non-profit American organisation which specialises in paediatric diseases, to arrange an urgent flight for the children. The Department of Health and Social Care has collaborated with the Department for Transport, the Home Office, and the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office to facilitate the transfer of the children from Poland to the UK
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Prime Minister Boris Johnson said: "The sickening suffering of innocent civilians in Ukraine is truly horrific. This vital lifesaving medical care is another important step in our support for the people of Ukraine and their resistance against Putin’s illegal invasion. I am hugely grateful to our fantastic NHS staff as well as our partners, including our Polish friends, for their support in bringing these children to the UK and we will continue to do all we can to support them as they continue their critical treatment here.
Health and Social Care Secretary Sajid Javid said: "I am proud that the UK is offering lifesaving medical care to these Ukrainian children, who have been forced out of their home country by the Russian invasion while undergoing medical treatment. I know that the incredible staff in the NHS will ensure they get the best possible care. I am hugely grateful to our partners and our Polish friends for their support in bringing these children to the UK.
NHS England chief executive Amanda Pritchard said: "The situation in Ukraine is deeply shocking and saddening, and the NHS will continue to help in any way we can, whether that is by working with government to provide medical supplies directly to Ukraine, or in this instance, by making sure these children with life-threatening cancers get the crucial treatment they need."
The government has already sent seven aircraft to the region to deliver more than 650,000 medical items, including wound care packs, equipment for intensive care and vital medicines.
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