HC Deb 10 January 2000 vol 342 cc55-6W
Mr. Brady

To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will list the designated cancer centre for surgery in each region of England. [102461]

Yvette Cooper

[holding answer 13 December 1999]: The National Cancer Director, Professor Mike Richards, is developing a national approach to the evaluation of cancer services with regions, to ensure that we have a consistent approach nationally to the delivery of cancer care.

There are currently no rigid criteria for the designation or accreditation of cancer centres. Early implementation of the Calman/Hine recommendations reflected the different starting points across the country and allowed an evaluation of services to fit local circumstances.