HC Deb 27 November 2000 vol 357 c472W
Mr. Cousins

To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will list the(a) total waiting list and (b) waiting lists per 100,000 population for radiotherapy treatment of cancer (i) nationally, (ii) by NHS region and (iii) by health authority area in the (A) Northern and (B) Yorkshire region. [140535]

Yvette Cooper

Information is not collected on waiting lists for radiotherapy treatment.

The National Health Service cancer plan published on 27 September includes new targets to be rolled out over the next five years to reduce waiting times at all stages of the cancer patient pathway from referral, diagnosis, to treatment. The ultimate goal is that no patient should wait longer than one month from an urgent referral by their general practitioner with suspected cancer, to the start of treatment. Arrangements will be developed to monitor progress towards these new targets.