HC Deb 01 March 1996 vol 272 c741W
Mr. Redmond

To ask the Secretary of State for Health what plans he has to ensure that patients turned away from the Bristol oncology centre due to its financial circumstances are promptly readmitted and receive the necessary care. [17943]

Mr. Horam

Patients are not being refused treatment. All emergency and urgent treatments are continuing as normal, and curative treatment is not affected. Patients requiring palliative care for non-curable conditions will be treated in the community by general practitioners, district nurses and St. Peters hospice. Help and advice will be provided from the palliative care team at the oncology centre.

Ms Harman

To ask the Secretary of State for Health what priorities govern the treatment of patients form(a) Avon, (b) Somerset, (c) Dorset and (d) Gloucester at the Bristol oncology centre. [17889]

Mr. Horam

Decisions regarding what priorities govern the treatment of patients at the Bristol oncology centre are the responsibility of the clinicians managing their care.

Ms Harman

To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will make a statement on the current work of the Bristol oncology centre in respect of treating cancer patients with chemotherapy and radiotherapy. [18062]

Mr. Horam

This is a mater for Avon Health Commission and the United Bristol Health Care national health service trust. The hon. Member may wish to contact the respective chairmen, Mrs. Martha Perriam and Mr. Robert McKinlay for more information.