§ Lord Morris of Manchesterasked Her Majesty's Government:
What were the findings of the study by the National Health Service Health Technology Assessment Programme in relation to prostate cancer, referred to in the Written Answer by Baroness Jay of Paddington on 23 July 1998 (WA 134). [HL1901]
§ The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State, Department of Health (Lord Hunt of Kings Heath)Findings from the Health Technology Assessment (HTA) project referred to are not yet available. The pilot research phase has been extended for scientific reasons and results should be available in autumn 2001.
§ Lord Morris of Manchesterasked Her Majesty's Government:
What developments there have been since the Written Answers of Baroness Jay of Paddington on 19 May 1998 (WA 165–6) and 23 July 1998 (WA 134) in government funding of research into prostate cancer; and what further expenditure is planned. [HL1903]
§ Lord Hunt of Kings HeathThe latest figure available for annual government expenditure (Department of Health/National Health Service, Medical Research18WA Council and other government departments—principally devolved health departments) on prostate cancer is £1.55 million. This figure underestimates the total government research and development expenditure in this area, as detailed estimates of NHS support funding are not collected routinely.
Since 1997, the Government have committed over £800,000 to new research projects on prostate cancer through the MRC and through the Department of Health. The department has actively sought to support such work in prostate cancer and has not rejected any high quality proposals for work in this area.
The Department of Health recently announced £1 million additional new funding for urgent research studies into prostate cancer as a mark of its concern over this disease.
Following the seminar last year at No. 10, a Cancer Research Funders' Forum has been established to help improve the co-ordination of cancer research in the United Kingdom. It is being run by the MRC and includes DH representatives and the major cancer research charities.
At the department's request, the forum considered the issue of prostate cancer at its first meeting on 10 January. It agreed to set up an expert group on prostate cancer which will identify gaps in current research and suggest ways of filling them. The expert group met for the first time on 25 February and expects to report within months.
The Government have recently appointed a National Cancer Director, Professor Mike Richards, who will spearhead our concerted drive on cancer. He will work in partnership with doctors, nurses, general practitioners, other health professionals and the voluntary sector to improve prevention and modernise cancer services to help ensure equitable access to high quality cancer care. This will include a close interest in the development and progression of research.