§ Mr. Silvesterasked the Secretary of State for Social Services whether he has now received the report of Lady Marie's group on cancer services for children; whether he proposes to publish the report; and whether he will make a statement.
§ Dr. VaughanLady Mane has now submitted her group's report, and I have arranged for a copy to be placed in the Library today. I am sending copies to all those who gave evidence to the group and to the hon. Members concerned. The report is not being issued as a priced document, but copies may be obtained on request from the Department.
The report concerns the treatment of children with cancer in Manchester hospitals, but its implications are much wider. First, it is an example of how a review of plans which were prepared 832W some time ago can show that needs and attitudes, have changed. But, even more important, the treatment of cancer in children has changed. The prospects for successful treatment have increased and it is now possible to treat children with cancer in a modern general children's unit where the facilities are suited to children's needs. The report says that the reasons for a central cancer unit in Manchester in 1974 no longer apply to the same extent and are now outweighed by the advantage of giving treatment in a children's setting. I accept this conclusion.
I am very grateful to Lady Mane and her colleagues, Mrs. Mary Warnock and Dr. Alfred White Franklin, for the thorough way in which they have sifted the evidence on the difficult subject and for the clear presentation of their conclusions.