§ Dr. GibsonTo ask the Secretary of State for Health (1) when the Commission for Health Improvement will review and report progress made by the NHS across the country in cancer services; [87367]
- (2) when he will publish new standards for the treatment of certain cancers; [87369]
- (3) When he plans to set up a cancer action team to improve cancer care in hospitals; [87364]
- (4) when he will set up the NHS on-line guide to cancer symptoms and advice. [87370]
§ Mr. HuttonOn 20 May at a seminar attended by Health Ministers and leading cancer clinicians, my right hon. Friend the Prime Minister announced a plan of action to tackle cancer and save lives. This included the establishment of a Cancer Action Team to work with the National Health Service in raising standards of cancer treatment and care in all hospitals to that which is already being achieved in the best. A Director for the Cancer Action Team has now been appointed and will take up the post in July.
The Commission for Health Improvement, working with the Audit Commission, will look at cancer as an early priority. Although the establishment of the Commission depends on legislation currently awaiting 477W Royal Assent, the intention is that the Commission be established later this year and make a start on its first full year programme of work from April 2000.
In response to concerns expressed about the different regional approaches used in the implementation of Calman/Hine, we are developing a set of common national standards and performance measures. We plan to test them this year and roll out nationally next year.
The Government fully support the need for patients to have clear information about cancer services. NHS Direct on-line will be launched in November this year. It will include a range of information about diseases and their treatment including access to good quality accredited information about cancers.