§ Mr. WillsTo ask the Secretary of State for Health what steps the Government are taking to ensure the implementation of the recommendations of the 1995 expert advisory group on cancer; which recommendations have yet to be implemented; and what factors underlie the non-implementation of those recommendations not yet implemented. [10537]
§ Mr. BoatengThe Government have given their full support to the implementation of the recommendations of the 1995 expert advisory group on cancer and £10 million has been made available recurrently to improve the diagnosis and treatment of breast cancer. The aim is to ensure that all women have speedy access to high quality diagnosis and treatment, based on Calman/Hine networks of cancer care. Guidance has been published on improving outcomes in breast cancer and on the provision of palliative care services.
A great deal of work has already been undertaken within the national health service to implement the recommendations with much being achieved locally. A key element has been the identification of cancer units and centres and the local agreement of where and what cancers should be treated at each individual hospital. In many regions, this has involved site visits by multi-disciplinary teams to assess cancer provision against agreed cancer standards, to identify strengths and weaknesses and to agree a time scale for change.
Although full implementation is planned to take some five to 10 years, we will continue to ensure that the programme is given a high priority. We are currently considering what further action should be taken both nationally and locally to ensure these improvements to cancer services are taken forward as quickly as possible.