§ Mrs. Curtis-ThomasTo ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will make a statement on investment in cancer facilities in Merseyside. [129222]
§ Yvette Cooper[holding answer 5 July 2000]: Cancer services in Merseyside and Cheshire are being developed as a network of cancer units linked to the Oncology Centre at Clatterbridge Hospital on the Wirral. This is in line with the Calman-Hine report on cancer services and the emerging recommendations of the National Cancer Director, Professor Mike Richards.
Merseyside and Cheshire have received £3.5 million from the New Opportunities Fund to invest in cancer services. In addition to this, local health authorities have received identifiable shares of the £9 million national gynaecological cancer moneys and, within their general allocations, a pro-rata share of £30 million made available nationally to improve access to cancer services.