§ 11. Mr. Vernon Coaker (Gedling)What discussions he has had with Trent regional health authority about the building of a new breast cancer unit at Nottingham City hospital. [119064]
§ The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Health (Yvette Cooper)The national health service executive's Trent regional office is working with Nottingham City Hospital NHS trust to take forward its proposal for a new breast care centre. The case is considered to be of high priority by both the regional office and the Nottingham health community. The project will be considered by Ministers, along with other priorities, when the capital allocations for the next year are announced shortly.
§ Mr. CoakerIs the Minister aware that the development of a new breast cancer unit at Nottingham City hospital is a huge local priority? I have visited the breast cancer unit and the work of Professor Blamey, Dr. Robin Wilson and the staff is well appreciated by the local community, but for too long they have had to work in substandard accommodation. With the extra money that we have made available, there are high hopes that they will soon have the first-class accommodation and facilities that they should expect for the first-class service and professionalism that they provide at the hospital.
§ Yvette CooperI shall certainly take on board the points that my hon. Friend makes. He has been a strong advocate for the new breast care centre and I can tell him 17 that the regional office and Ministers will note his argument that it is considered to be a regional priority. We shall bear what he says in mind when we make a decision.