§ Tim LoughtonTo ask the Secretary of State for Health what the average waiting time between general practitioner referral and clinical treatment was for(a) breast cancer cases, (b) lung cancer cases and (c) lower gastrointestinal cancer cases in each of the health authorities in England in the last 12 months. [7591]
§ Jacqui SmithThe information is not collected. Collection of data on waiting times from general practitioner referral to treatment for breast cancer will be rolled out in 2002, as stated in the NHS Cancer Plan. By 2005 full implementation of monitoring will be in place for lung cancer and lower gastrointestinal cancer.
We are determined to reduce waiting times for cancer treatment. By December 2002 there will be a maximum waiting time of two months from urgent GP referral to treatment for breast cancer. This maximum waiting time target will be rolled out to all cancers by December 2005.