§ Mr. Ben ChapmanTo ask the Secretary of State for Health what assessment he has made of the demand for proton therapy at the Clatterbridge Centre for Oncology in the next 10 years. [140548]
§ Miss Melanie JohnsonThe responsibility for assessing future demand of specialised services such as proton therapy at the Clatterbridge Centre for Oncology lies with primary care trusts. The commissioning and assessment demand arrangements around the country differ. Patients come from all over the country to receive proton therapy at the Clatterbridge Centre for Oncology, and in 2003–04, the number receiving treatment will be in the region of 80. This includes a very small number of patients who are treated privately.