§ Hugh RobertsonTo ask the Secretary of State for Health (1) what the waiting times are for in-patients needing cancer care at Kent and Canterbury hospital; [40865]
(2) what assessment has been made of the cost of transferring in-patient cancer treatment from Kent and Canterbury hospital to Maidstone hospital; [40859]
307W(3) what the waiting times are for in-patient treatment for cancer at the Maidstone hospital. [40858]
§ Ms Blears[holding answer 7 March 2002]: The information requested is not collected centrally.
No assessment of costs for transferring patients to Maidstone hospital has been carried out as a decision on the future role of Kent and Canterbury hospital, resulting from the reconfiguration of acute services, has not been made.
If any changes to services are to be made, detailed plans would first be put in place to ensure other, appropriate facilities and services are available at the Maidstone hospital and other centres.