§ Dr. GibsonTo ask the Secretary of State for Health (1) to which individual or organisation cancer networks are answerable; and what the accountability arrangements are for cancer networks; [23820]
(2) if cancer networks will be given a budget to commission services; and if commissioning and providing functions will be separated; [23827]
(3) what the relationship will be between strategic health authorities and cancer networks; and if he will make a statement. [23828]
§ Yvette CooperThe NHS Cancer Plan said that cancer networks would be the organisational model for cancer services to implement the Cancer Plan, bringing together commissioners, providers, the voluntary sector and local authorities. Cancer networks have been working together to develop strategic service delivery plans to develop all aspects of cancer services. The National Health Service Planning and Performance Framework published on 6 December set out the requirement that NHS organisations should work together through cancer 455W networks to deliver the cancer programme in line with network's strategic plans. The role of cancer networks and their relationships with other NHS bodies will be clarified shortly in our response to the consultation on Shifting the Balance of Power in the NHS.