Cancer (Hansard, 10 April 2002)

§ Dr. Murrison
To ask the Secretary of State for Health what recent steps he has taken to improve the cervical cancer screening programme. [45778]

§ Yvette Cooper
The Government are currently piloting new technologies in order to improve the cervical screening programme. These are Liquid Based Cytology (LBC) and Human Papilloma Virus (HPV) testing. If evaluation proves that the pilots are successful, and if recommended by the National Institute for Clinical Excellence, they will be introduced across the NHS.

§ Dr. Murrison
To ask the Secretary of State for Health what extra major pieces of diagnostic equipment have been purchased under the Cancer Plan. [45776]

§ Yvette Cooper
The NHS Cancer Plan provided details of diagnostic equipment to be purchased for the NHS. This included 88 MRI scanners, 200 CT scanners and over 300 items of breast screening equipment.
Programmes to deliver this essential equipment are well under way. By March 2002, 28 new MRI scanners, 81 CT scanners and almost all of the breast screening equipment had been delivered to the NHS. The remaining equipment is due for delivery by 2004.
As well as investment in diagnostic radiology equipment, the NHS Cancer Plan makes a commitment to providing £15 million for the modernisation of 23 pathology services.