§ Dr. GibsonTo ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will make a statement on the impact of the Comprehensive Spending Review on(a) cancer research, (b) cancer screening and (c) palliative care of cancer patients. [133844]
§ Yvette CooperThe National Health Service Plan announced that a substantial increase in funding has been secured for the NHS. As a result cancer services will receive an additional £280 million in 2001–02, £407 million in 2002–03 and £570 million by 2003–04. This will be used to support the implementation of the NHS Cancer Plan, published on 27 September 2000. The plan sets out action to improve the speed, quality and equity of cancer services, and builds on the far-reaching changes for health services set out in the NHS Plan. Specifically resources have been identified for
Cancer research—by 2003 we will be investing an additional £20 million each year in the infrastructure for cancer research and an extra £4 million on prostate cancer research. Basic and medical research, including cancer, will also benefit with 556W £250 million being made available to the research councils for new research activity, particularly in genomics, e-science and basic technology.Cancer screening—by 2004 routine invitations for breast screening will be extended to women aged 65 to 70, and the current service will be upgraded by offering two-view mammography at all screening rounds.Palliative care of cancer patients—by 2004 the NHS will invest an extra £50 million to end inequalities in access to specialist palliative care and enable the NHS to make a realistic contribution to the cost hospices incur in providing agreed levels of service.Further details are available in the NHS Cancer Plan, copies of which have been placed in the Library.