§ Dr. FoxTo ask the Secretary of State for Health how many new liquid cytology units there have been since the publication of the NHS National Plan. [47012]
§ Yvette CooperThree new liquid based cytology (LBC) units have been installed in national health service trusts in England since the publication of the NHS Plan. The units are at Newcastle Royal Victoria Infirmary NHS Trust, Norfolk and Norwich Hospitals NHS Trust and North Bristol Hospitals NHS Trust.
The installation of LBC units is part of a pilot set up in April 2001 to evaluate the effects, costs and practical implications of introducing LBC into the NHS cervical screening programme alongside human papilloma virus testing. The evaluation report is due in autumn 2002, and will inform an appraisal of LBC by the National Institute for Clinical Excellence. Subject to the outcome of the evaluation and appraisal, full roll-out will follow.