§ 17. Mr. Ian StewartTo ask the Secretary of State for Health what action he is taking to reduce waiting times for breast cancer treatment. [46617]
§ Ms JowellWe are committed to equal access to high quality health services. We have already made £10 million available for breast cancer services which is being used to support over 300 initiatives around the country. Particular emphasis has been given to supporting projects that give rapid access to diagnostic services through the provision of "one stop" clinics, speeding access to high quality treatment and care delivered by specialist teams.
The White Paper, "The New NHS" sets out a specific target for cancer that everyone with suspected cancer will be able to see a specialist within two weeks of their general practitioner deciding that they need to be seen urgently and requesting an appointment. This has been guaranteed for breast cancer by April 1999.