§ Mr. Nicholas WintertonTo ask the Secretary of State for Health what was the annual expenditure allocated by his Department to(a) the Christie Hospital and (b) the Royal Marsden Hospital for cancer care and treatment, in the last three years for which figures are available. [116109]
§ Mr. DenhamThe total income for the Christie Hospital and the Royal Marsden Hospital for the years 1996–97, 1997–98 and 1998–99 is as follows:
£ million Christie Hospital Royal Marsden 1996–97 51.6 65.7 1997–98 53.3 70.1 1998–99 57.3 74.8
§ Mr. Nicholas WintertonTo ask the Secretary of State for Health what proportion of the annual income of(a) the Christie Hospital and (b) the Royal Marsden Hospital was derived from the provision of private health care services, in the last three years for which figures are available. [116112]
§ Mr. DenhamThe proportion of the total annual income for the Christie Hospital and the Royal Marsden204W Hospital for the years 1996–97, 1997–98 and 1998–99 which has been derived from the provision of private health care services is as follows:
£ million 1996–97 1997–98 1998–99 Christie Hospital Total Income 51.6 53.3 57.3 Private Patients 2.6 2.8 3.7 Royal Marsden Hospital Total Income 65.7 70.1 74.8 Private Patients 11.7 13.4 15.5
§ Mr. StinchcombeTo ask the Secretary of State for Health what was the annual Government funding for research into(a) breast cancer and (b) prostate cancer in each of the last two years. [117138]
§ Yvette CooperOur funding for cancer research is provided through a number of routes.
The Medical Research Council (MRC) is the main agency through which the Government support research on the causes and treatment of disease. The MRC receives most of its income via grant in aid from the office of my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry. The Department funds research to support policy development in health and social care, and to support effective practice in the National Health Service. The Department also provides NHS support funding for research commissioned by the MRC and charities that takes place in the NHS.
The approximate annual Government expenditure (Department of Health/NHS, MRC and other Government Departments—principally devolved health Departments) on breast cancer and prostate cancer are £9.33 million and £1.55 million respectively. These figures underestimate the total Government research expenditure in these areas, as detailed estimates of NHS support funding are not currently collected routinely.
Since 1997 the Government have committed an extra £800,000 to new research projects on prostate cancer, through the Medical Research Council and through the Department of Health. The Department has actively sought to support such work in prostate cancer, and has not rejected any high quality proposals for work in this area.
The Department recently announced £1 million additional new funding for this financial year for urgent research studies into prostate cancer as a mark of its concern over this disease.
Following the seminar last year at No. 10 a "Cancer Research Funders' Forum" has been established to help improve the co-ordination of cancer research in the United Kingdom. It is being run by the MRC and includes departmental representatives and the major cancer research charities. At the Department's request, the Forum considered the issue of prostate cancer at its first meeting on 10 January. They agreed to set up an expert group on prostate cancer, which will identify gaps in current research and suggest ways of filling them. The expert group met for the first time on 25 February, and expects to report within months.
205WWe have recently appointed a National Cancer Director, Professor Mike Richards, who will spearhead our concerted drive on cancer. He will work in partnership with doctors, nurses, general practitioners, other health professionals and the voluntary sector to improve prevention and modernise cancer services to help ensure equitable access to high quality cancer care. This will include a close interest in the development and progression of research. The Government keep their priorities for research under review. In the NHS priorities are identified through widespread consultation with those using, delivering and managing services. They take account of the burden of disease, potential benefits and Government objectives as well as the responsibilities and work of other funders—including the charities.
§ Mr. StinchcombeTo ask the Secretary of State for Health how much the Government spent on treatments for(a) breast cancer and (b) prostate cancer in each of the last two years. [117139]
§ Yvette CooperInformation showing expenditure on cancer treatment by cancer site is not available. However, cancer services are estimated to account for 6.3 per cent. (£1.5 billion) of National Health Service hospital expenditure in England. This excludes cancer services not normally provided on an in-patient basis, for example cancer screening, chemotherapy, radiotherapy and community palliative cancer services.
The Department has commissioned work to improve overall NHS information, including national statistics on hospital prescribing, which will give us a more accurate method of recording hospital expenditure on cancer treatment.
§ Mr. Paul MarsdenTo ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will make a statement on the use of taxanes in the treatment of ovarian and advanced breast cancer. [118325]
§ Yvette CooperThe efficiency and effectiveness of taxanes is currently being assessed by the National Institute for Clinical Excellence. The process is still continuing but we expect the guidance to be issued shortly.