Patients will be able to access clinical trials through the NHS app, as part of the government’s new National Cancer Plan and the Rare Cancers Bill.

It is hoped that this will give patients with rare cancers, including brain cancers, will have a better chance of survival.

The Rare Cancers Bill was introduced by Dr Scott Arthur MP and is currently going through Parliament.

At first, patients will be able to search for trials on the clinical research database and ask to be contacted. After this, patients will be able to sign up to automatically be offered the opportunity to receive details of clinical trials that might benefit them.

Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, Wes Streeting, said: "I know how painful it is for rare cancer patients and their families to be held back by a clinical trials system that was never designed with them in mind.

"We’re modernising the NHS so rare cancer patients not only get breakthrough treatments faster, but so we have more experts in the right places able to boost survival rates for rare cancers across the country.

"The National Cancer Plan marks a step‑change for brain cancer and rare cancer patients, giving researchers the tools they need and patients the hope they deserve."

Science Minister, Lord Vallance said: "Clinical trials are the route by which promising research can be turned into treatments that can change and save lives.

"This work, alongside our wider efforts to speed up clinical trials in the UK, will make a real difference in helping more cancer patients access trials and accelerate getting new life-changing treatments to those who need them."