§ Sir Teddy TaylorTo ask the Secretary of State for Health for what reason the closure of the cancer unit at Southend General Hospital is under consideration; and which body or person has the responsibility for determining the minimum catchment area size of such units. [28011]
§ Yvette Cooper[holding answer 17 January 2002]: The closure of the cancer unit at Southend hospital national health service trust is not under consideration. The body which determines the minimum catchment area of cancer networks is the relevant regional office of the Department. Cancer networks in the eastern region were last reviewed in 1999. The south Essex cancer network was endorsed by NHS executive eastern despite the fact it falls below the Calman-Hine recommendation that cancer networks should serve a minimum population of 1 million. Current cancer services in the south Essex cancer network serves a population of approximately 680,000.