§ Mr. KirkwoodTo ask the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will estimate the average time taken in each health board area in Scotland(a) to provide appointments to patients who detect breast lumps, (b) to diagnose whether or not the lump is malignant and (c) to operate if the lump is a tumour.
§ Lord James Douglas-Hamilton[holding answer 24 October 1994]: Information requested is not centrally available in the form requested. However, the table gives details of waiting times for confirmation or treatment.
Source:
Mean and median waiting time (days for patients admitted from the waiting list and operated on for confirmation or treatment of
malignant neoplasm of female breast (ICD9 174), by health board
of treatment, calendar year 1993
HB Treatment Mean Wait (Days)
Median Wait (Days
Argyll and Clyde 8.0 7 Ayrshire and Arran 12.3 8 Borders 9.4 6 Dumfries and Galloway 12.5 11 Fife 12.7 8 Forth Valley 10.9 8 Grampian 9.8 7 Greater Glasgow 14.0 11 Highland 12.9 10 Lanarkshire 10.3 7 Lothian 14.0 11 Orkney 5.8 5 Shetland 6.4 5 Tayside 18.9 15 Western Isles 6.7 4 Scotland 12.9 9 SMR1
Ref:
ISD.UNIT3.HASU, M4435
Notes:
1. Diagnostic codes are based on the World Health Organisation's International Classification of Diseases, 9th Revision (ICD9). Codes used in the analysis are as follows:ICD9 174 Malignant Neoplasm of Female Breast.2. Operation codes are based on the Office of Population Censuses and Surveys 4th Revision Classification of Surgical Operations and Procedures (OPCS4). Codes used in the analysis are as follows:OPCS4 B27-B37 Breast Operations and Procedures.3. The table is for elective admissions from the waiting list (SMR1 TADM-1 & WAIT>0).
§ Mr. KirkwoodTo ask the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will list the guidelines given to area health 599W boards in setting limits on the length of time between breast lumps being detected by patients and being diagnosed as malignant or otherwise; and what are the time limits thereafter being set for operations to remove the lumps if malignant tumours are discovered.
§ Lord James Douglas-Hamilton[holding answer 24 October 1994]: The Government-funded Scottish Cancer Co-ordinating and Advisory Committee and the Scottish Cancer Therapy Network have established a joint focus group to examine all aspects of the subject ie aetiology, prevention, diagnosis, treatment and palliation, so that the adequacy of existing arrangements may be scrutinised and best practice determined. No formal guidelines exist at present.
§ Mr. KirkwoodTo ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what steps he is taking to increase resources available for the diagnosis and treatment of breast cancer in Scotland; and if he will make a statement.
600W
§ Lord James Douglas-Hamilton[holding answer 25 October 1994]: The incidence, morbidity and mortality associated with breast cancer are sources of concern to the Government, and we are committed to encouraging research into the causes, diagnosis, treatment and cure of the disease. The Government also funds the Scottish breast screening programme, which aims to reduce mortality in the screened population by 25 per cent. by the year 2000. All referrals under the programme are to a designated breast surgeon, who in the majority of cases will have been nominated by the woman's health board of residence. Where more complex techniques are likely to be required, referral will be to a breast surgeon working in one of the five specialist multi-disciplinary teams in Scotland. The Scottish Cancer Therapy Network, which we have established to ensure the delivery to cancer patients of the most effective and up-to-date treatment, is forming a focus group in co-operation with the Government-funded Scottish Cancer Co-ordinating and Advisory Committee to look specifically at all aspects of breast cancer, including diagnosis and treatment.