§ Mr. Paul MarsdenTo ask the Secretary of State for Health (1) if he will list the members of the Cancer Care Action Group and the organisations for which they work; [91983]
34W(2) if he will report on the progress made by the Cancer Care Action Group in identifying and implementing improvements to the quality of care for patients and their relatives; and if he will make a statement. [91984]
§ Mr. HuttonWe recognise the importance of voluntary sector organisations in the care and support of patients with cancer. The Cancer Care Action Group has been established to promote more effective involvement of these organisations in the development and implementation of policy on cancer care. The Group includes representatives of cancer-related voluntary sector organisations and the National Health Service Executive. The organisations represented are:
- Breakthrough Breast Cancer
- Breast Cancer Care
- Cancer Black Care
- CancerBacup
- Cancerlink
- Colon Cancer Concern
- Crocus Trust
- Help the Hospices
- Leukaemia Care Society
- Macmillan Cancer Relief
- Marie Curie Cancer Care
- National Cancer Alliance
- National Conference of Cancer Self Help Groups
- National Council for Hospices and Specialist Palliative Care Services
- The Prostate Cancer Charity
- St. Christopher's Hospice
- Sargent Cancer Care for Children
- Sue Ryder Foundation
- Women's Nationwide Cancer Control Campaign.
The Group is chaired by the Chief Nursing Officer and representatives of the NHS Executive and members of the National Cancer Forum also attend.
The Cancer Care Action Group first met in January 1999. It reviewed and advised on current cancer policy initiatives, the development of the National Health Service Cancer Information Strategy and psychosocial support for patients with cancer. The group also identified the need for further work to improve voluntary sector involvement in initiatives to improve quality in the NHS, and in education and training for health professionals.