§ Mrs. Iris RobinsonTo ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland if he will take steps to ensure that(a) the new regional cancer unit at the Belfast City Hospital and (b) local research prioritise childhood tumours; and if he will make a statement. [171030]
§ Angela SmithI have been asked to reply.
(a) The Royal Belfast Hospital for Sick Children is responsible for the management of childhood cancers and this will not change when the new Cancer Centre opens at the Belfast City Hospital in 2006. Children requiring radiotherapy will continue to be referred to Belfast City Hospital Trust, which currently provides radiotherapy for around 15 children each year.
The effective management of childhood cancers is already a key priority for the Royal Belfast Hospital for Sick Children. The Hospital is a member of the United Kingdom Children's Cancer Study Group, comprising 22 specialist centres. Each of the centres adheres to agreed protocols for the treatment of childhood cancers, developed in collaboration with European and worldwide oncology centres.
(b) In Northern Ireland, there is an active research base in both cancer and child health and welfare, through the Recognised Research Groups, supported by the R&D Office for the HPSS.