§ Dr. GodmanTo ask the Secretary of State for Scotland how many women in Inverclyde have been diagnosed as suffering from breast cancer and have been treated for this complaint in each of the past five years; and if he will make a statement. [2766]
§ Mr. Galbraith[holding answer 12 June 1997]: The number of registrations for breast cancer among Inverclyde residents and the number of discharges of women with breast cancer for the period 1991–95 are as follows:
Inverclyde residents Year 1991 1992 1993 1994 1995 Number of registrations 62 67 37 25 79 Number of discharges 145 128 81 73 143 The registration figures for 1995 are provisional. The figures for discharges relate to all Inverclyde residents with a primary diagnosis of malignant neoplasm of the breast. Discharges include inpatient and day cases. There may be more than one discharge per woman.
The annual changes over the last five years in the number of registrations and discharges among Inverclyde women with breast cancer may reflect the timing of the screening programme. The mobile unit of the Scottish Breast Screening Programme visited the Inverclyde catchment area from January 1992 until October/ November 1992. It then visited the Inverclyde catchment area again in November/December 1994. This may explain the fall in registrations and discharges in 1993 and 1994 and their rise in 1995.
§ Dr. GodmanTo ask the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will list the specialist breast cancer units in(a) Strathclyde and (b) Scotland; and if he will make a statement. [2767]
§ Mr. Galbraith[holding answer 12 June 1997]: The Macmillan Directory of Breast Cancer Services lists the following Breast Cancer Units in Strathclyde:
- Victoria Infirmary, Glasgow
- The Western Infirmary, Glasgow
- Glasgow Royal Infirmary
- Southern General Hospital
- Inverclyde Royal Hospital
- Royal Alexandra Hospital
- Hairmyres Hospital
- Law Hospital
- Monklands Hospital
- Crosshouse Hospital
- Ayr Hospital.
The Macmillan Directory also lists the following Breast Cancer Units in other areas of Scotland:
- Perth Royal Infirmary
- Stirling Royal Infirmary
- Falkirk Royal Infirmary
- St. John's Hospital at Howden
- Raigmore Hospital
- Western General Hospital
57 - Dumfries and Galloway Royal Infirmary
- Victoria Hospital, Kirkcaldy
- Queen Margaret Hospital
- Aberdeen Royal Infirmary
- Borders General Hospital
- Ninewells Hospitals.
In recent years there has been a significant trend towards increased specialisation in the provision of care and treatment for patients with cancer, including breast cancer. Following publication in 1996 of the report on Commissioning Cancer Services in Scotland, Health Boards and Trusts were asked to review their cancer services, and to prepare plans for improving services to ensure that all patients have access to high quality care. The plans which Health Boards have developed in collaboration with NHS Trusts should ensure continuing improvements in the high standards of care already available throughout Scotland to patients with breast cancer.