HC Deb 10 December 1985 vol 88 cc751-2
7. Mr. Norman Atkinson

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services if he will refuse his consent to the ending of treatment for cancer at the North Middlesex hospital.

Mr. Whitney

No, Sir. This is a matter for the health authorities concerned. The current review by the North-East Thames regional health authority of its cancer services is about finding the best way of improving services to patients. If the review leads to changes which involve the closure of the North Middlesex radiotherapy unit and re-provision of the service elsewhere, there will be full local consultation. If the community health council objects to any such proposal, the matter will be referred to Ministers for a final decision. Further comment from me at this stage would not be appropriate.

Mr. Atkinson

Is it not a fact that the proposed changes are of some size? The suggestion is that five cancer centres should be created in London and that the North Middlesex hospital should be merged with the Royal Free hospital. If that happens and there is the creation at the Royal Free of a cancer centre, the linear accelerator that has already been ordered for the North Middlesex hospital and the building which has already been constructed there will be scrapped. It will make nonsense of the travelling arrangements that people in both north London and the outer areas will have to make to get to the centre should it not be established at the North Middlesex hospital. To provide a rationale, will the Minister intervene before the consultations take place so that a sensible plan can be devised for the cancer centres in London?

Mr. Whitney

The hon. Gentleman gives currency to completely unfounded scare stories. This is a consultative proposal about the possibility of providing a better service for patients. It is not a question of saving resources.

As for the future of the North Middlesex hospital, as opposed to a possible rationalisation of cancer treatment services, the hon. Gentleman ought to be aware that the latest plan suggests additions of about £8 million in the next few years for the North Middlesex hospital, including three new geriatric wards. If that suggests the closure of the North Middlesex hospital, it seems to be a very strange way of going about it.

Mr. Hayes

I hope my hon. Friend appreciates that there is considerable feeling and outrage on both sides of the House about this report, which has been pilloried by the medical profession. I am not prepared—and I am sure that many of my hon. Friends are not prepared—to stand idly by and see some of our cancer patients, who are suffering enough as it is, having to travel long distances.

Mr. Whitney

I hope my hon. Friend agrees that it is entirely right for the health authority to take every possible measure to seek the best method of delivering these services to their patients.

As for medical opinion, I remind my hon. Friend that this inquiry was conducted by Professor Whitehouse, Professor of Medical Oncology at the University of Southampton. I repeat that this proposal has not yet been considered by the authorities.

Mr. Dobson

Does the Minister recognise that there is concern, both within London and in those parts of the North-East Thames regional health authority that are outside London, about the proposals? Does he also recognise that it is necesary for him to intervene so that cancer treatment provision in Greater London and outside that area can be seen as a whole? The North-East Thames regional health authority should not be permitted to go ahead with its piecemeal proposals without bearing in mind what is happening in other parts of the south-east.

Mr. Whitney

I am well aware of the concern, as is the regional health authority. However, I am also aware that the regional health authority has a responsibility to study this proposal and that it has every right to do so. I hope the hon. Gentleman recognises that should this procedure go a step further, we should then enter into a consultation process in which my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Social Services and other ministerial colleagues would be involved.

Dr. Michael Clark

Is my hon. Friend aware that the proposal to close the cancer treatment unit at the North Middlesex hospital is part of an overall package, put forward by the North-East Thames regional health authority, which will also affect the cancer treatment unit at Southend? Is my hon. Friend also aware that the report is riddled with errors and inaccuracies and that it is no more acceptable to the people of Southend than it is to people in the North Middlesex hospital area?

Mr. Whitney

I am well aware of that concern. I have no doubt that the regional health authority will take note of that concern in reaching its conclusion on the report.