HC Deb 13 September 2004 vol 424 cc1464-5W
Dr. Gibson

To ask the Secretary of State for Health how the implementation of the revised National Institute for Clinical Excellence Referral Guidelines for Suspected Cancer will be enforced and monitored; and if he will make a statement. [185849]

Miss Melanie Johnson

"National Standards, Local Action: Health and Social Care Standards and Planning Framework 2005/06–2007/08" was published on 21 July 2004. This document sets out the new healthcare standards which every English national health service body must take into account and which the Healthcare Commission will take into account in developing their criteria for their reviews of English NHS bodies. Guidance from the National Institute for Clinical Excellence (NICE) is reflected in these standards in two ways.

Recommendations in "technology appraisal guidance" are included in a "core standard" for the NHS—all NHS bodies should "ensure that they conform to NICE technology appraisals and, where it is available, take into account nationally agreed guidance when planning and delivering treatment and care".

"Clinical guidelines" form part of the "developmental standards"—standards which the NHS is expected to achieve over time. The standard requires patients to receive effective treatment and care that "conform to nationally agreed best practice, particularly as defined in … NICE guidance".

The referral guidelines for suspected cancer are currently subject to consultation and do not constitute NICE's formal guidance. The first consultation period ends on 11 August 2004, with the final guidelines expected to be published in March 2005.

Dr. Gibson

To ask the Secretary of State for Health what role he expects the revised National Institute for Clinical Excellence Referral Guidelines for Suspected Cancer to have in improving the treatment of pre-cancerous skin conditions in primary care. [185850]

Miss Melanie Johnson

The National Institute for Clinical Excellence (NICE) is currently consulting on the first draft of the revised referral guidelines for suspected cancer.

As the guideline recommendations presented are provisional and do not constitute NICE'S formal guidance, it would not be appropriate to comment in detail at this stage. The guidelines, once published, will assist primary healthcare professionals in determining those patients with suspected skin cancer who need to be referred urgently to see a specialist within two weeks, those patients who can be referred for a routine appointment and those who can be safely watched and, where appropriate, treated at a primary care level.

The revised guidelines are expected to be published in March 2005.