§ 37. Mr. HoyleTo ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will make a statement on the provision of radiotherapy services in the North-West. [51012]
§ Mr. MilburnRadiotherapy is currently provided in three centres in the North West: Clatterbridge Hospital in Wirral, Christie Hospital in Manchester and the Royal Preston Hospital in Lancashire. Following a review of cancer services in the North West led by Professor Peter Selby, the £5.1 million Lancashire and Lakeland Unit with Radiotherapy at the Royal Preston Hospital opened to patients in February 1997.
In order fully to assess the requirement for radiotherapy service provision in the North West and to ensure that deficiencies in access to radiotherapy services for all patients can be identified and addressed, the National Health Service Executive North West Regional Office is undertaking, as a matter of urgency, a detailed analysis of 170W the level of service currently being provided and a projection of the level of service required. This will include staffing levels, equipment requirement and costs. The work is expected to be completed in the autumn.