§ Bob SpinkTo ask the Secretary of State for Health what plans he has to improve the speed of access to radiography for cancer patients. [163996]
§ Miss Melanie JohnsonTo reduce the amount of time patients have to wait for radiography, we are making major investment in replacement and additional scanners and linear accelerators, recruiting and training additional radiographers and streamlining care processes through the cancer services collaborative improvement partnership.
§ Dr. GibsonTo ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will implement all of the recommendations contained in the National Audit Office report "Tackling Cancer in England: Saving More Lives". [164235]
§ Miss Melanie JohnsonThe Department welcomes the National Audit Office report, "Tackling Cancer in England: Saving More Lives", and will take the report's recommendations into account as we further develop and improve cancer services. The report will be discussed in detail at a Committee of Public Accounts hearing scheduled for 16 June 2004. Sir Nigel Crisp, chief executive of the national health service and Professor Mike Richards, national cancer director, have been called to give evidence at the hearing. The Government will respond to the Committee's subsequent report in the form of a Treasury minute.