§ Mrs. ClwydTo ask the Secretary of State for Wales what targets his Department has set in respect of breast cancer in Wales analogous to those in "The Health of the Nation". [5680]
§ Mr. RichardsA target to reduce death rates from breast cancer among women aged 50 to 64 by at least 20 per cent. by 2002 was included in the "Protocol for Investment in Health Gain: Cancers", issued by the Welsh Office in 1991.
§ Mr. MorganTo ask the Secretary of State for Wales if he will list the specialist breast cancer treatment centres(a) in Welsh hospitals and (b) otherwise currently serving Welsh health authority populations; and what plans he has (i) to increase their number and (ii) to upgrade them. [6538]
§ Mr. HagueThere are no designated specialist breast cancer treatment centres in Wales. However, Breast Test Wales refers women with screen-detected breast cancer to the following hospitals for treatment:
- Llandough Hospital, Cardiff
- University Hospital of Wales, Cardiff
- Neath General Hospital, West Glamorgan
- Prince Philip Hospital, Llanelli
- East Glamorgan General Hospital, Church Village
- Llandudno General Hospital, Gwynedd
Additionally, general practitioners are free to refer patients screened by Breast Test Wales to other hospitals, should they wish.
An expert group on cancer services has been established to help health authorities implement the report of the chief medical officers of England and Wales, "A Policy Framework for Commissioning Cancer Services". The group will consider the need to increase the number of or upgrade specialist cancer treatment centres.