§ Mr. LoveTo ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will make a statement on progress in implementing the Calman-Hine proposals for cancer care; and if he will make a statement.[139429]
§ Yvette CooperThe Calman/Hine report, "A Policy Framework for Commissioning Cancer Services", was published in 1995 in response to concerns about variations in treatment across the country.
This is being supplemented by a series of site specific guidance to improve outcomes for the main cancers (breast, colorectal, lung and gynaecological cancers).
As a result of this guidance the National Health Service is introducing site specific specialist multi-disciplinary teams for cancer treatment and is establishing networks of cancer services.
In September this year we published the NHS Cancer Plan spanning prevention, diagnosis, treatment, care and research. This plan builds on the Calman/Hine report and sets out the first ever comprehensive strategy to tackle the disease.
The Commission for Health Improvement (CHI) is currently reviewing the national progress towards achieving the aims of the Calman/Hine report. CHI will work closely with the Director of National Cancer Services, Professor Richards, the NHS and national bodies representing patients and professionals and plans to publish the findings in summer 2001.