§ Mr. BurnsTo ask the Secretary of State for Health (1) what procedures are available to(a) contest and (b) appeal the decision by the Mid Anglia Cancer Network NHS to move gynaecological cancer surgery for women in Mid-Essex from St. John's hospital, Chelmsford, to Ipswich hospital, Suffolk; [20205]
(2) if he will make a statement on the reasons underlying the decision (a) not to enhance gynaecological cancer surgery at St. John's hospital Chelmsford and (b) to transfer the service to Ipswich hospital. [20290]
§ Jacqui Smith[holding answer 4 December 2001]: The decision to centralise specialist gynaecological cancer surgery is in line with national guidance which specifies that specialised surgery for gynaecological cancers should be in a single centre of excellence serving a population of 1 million.
The Mid Anglia Cancer Network currently carries out such work in Ipswich, Colchester and Chelmsford. The recommendation to establish the centre in Ipswich is based on Ipswich hospital having the facilities and capacity for development whereas Chelmsford or 728W Colchester, the other sites serving the network, would have to wait for approximately five years for the completion of major capital schemes.
Public consultation on setting up the Mid Anglia Cancer Network has already taken place. A main feature of this was that specialist services would be centralised and this was accepted and supported by the local community health councils, and others, after wide consultation.
Further local public consultation, via the CHCs, will take place from January 2002 on the implementation of centralising gynaecology as the first of the rarer cancers and hon. Members' views would be welcomed.