§ Mr. Paul MarsdenTo ask the Secretary of State for Health what assessment he has made of(a) the quality of treatment and (b) survival rates among cancer patients on low incomes; and if he will make a statement. [115716]
§ Yvette CooperAs part of the national performance assessment framework, the Government are developing the national cancer standard and performance indicators to improve consistency in the quality of cancer services across the country. In addition, both the National Institute for Clinical Excellence and the Commission for Health Improvement have been set up specifically to help to reduce variations and ensure fair access to high quality treatment.
Data published in Cancer Survival Trends in England and Wales 1971–95 produced by the Office for National Statistics show that survival rates for adults in deprived groups are lower than those in more affluent groups for several cancers.
We have appointed Professor Mike Richards as the National Cancer Director to spearhead the drive to modernise all aspects of cancer care. He has indicated our intention to develop a national cancer programme building on the Calman/Hine Report to set out action to improve prevention of cancer and ensure patients from all social groups have access to faster better cancer care. The National Cancer Director will be developing the plan over the coming months and will engage with clinicians, managers and patients in the process.