§ Baroness Northoverasked Her Majesty's Government:
What were the overall oncology budgets for National Health Service trusts in London for each of the last three years; and [HL595]
What were the oncology budgets for each of the last three years for (a) Guy's Hospital, (b) the Royal Marsden Hospital and (c) St Thomas' Hospital; and [HL596]
What discussions they have had with, and what directions they have given to, the chief executives of health authorities to ensure that budgets in oncology are (a) maintained and (b) spent exclusively on cancer care and cancer services; and [HL597]
12WAWhat assessment they have made of shortfalls in National Health Service oncology drugs budgets; and [HL598]
What plans they have to monitor the distribution of National Health Service oncology drugs budgets to treaters; and [HL599]
What is their estimate of the percentage of National Health Service oncology drugs budgets received by oncologists. [HL600]
§ Lord Hunt of Kings HeathResources for oncology, including oncology drugs, are included in general allocations to health authorities. No information is held centrally on oncology or oncology drugs budgets. In 2001–02, health authority allocations nationally included a hypothecated amount of £255 million for increases in expenditure on cancer services and health authorities were asked to set aside specific additional resources from this amount to meet a number of priorities on cancer, including implementing the National Institute for Clinical Excellence guidance on new oncology drugs.