§ Dr. KumarTo ask the Secretary of State for Health how many teenage cancer patients since 1997 spent the majority of their cancer treatment in(a) adult and (b) children's wards in (i) England and (ii) the North East of England; and if he will make a statement. [98466]
§ Ms BlearsNo statistics are available centrally which allow distinction between adult and children's wards.
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§ Dr. KumarTo ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will list the locations of teenage-specific cancer wards(a) in 1995, (b) in 2003 and (c) that are planned to be completed by 2010; and if he will make a statement. [98471]
§ Ms BlearsWe do not routinely hold details of all the teenage cancer wards provided in the National Health Service in 1995 nor those that are provided at the present time. However, we are aware of eight units currently dedicated to teenage cancer patients in the following NHS trusts
Middlesex Hospital, University College Hospitals NHS Trust, London;University College Hospital, University College Hospitals NHS Trust, London;Queen Elizabeth Hospital, University Hospital Birmingham NHS Trust;Christie Hospital NHS Trust, Manchester;Weston Park Hospital, Sheffield Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust;St James's University Hospital, Leeds Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust;Royal Victoria Infirmary, Newcastle upon Tyne Hospitals NHS Trust;Alder Hey Hospital, Royal Liverpool Children's NHS TrustIt is for primary care trusts to decide exactly which health services their local population need now and in the future. We have asked the National Institute for Clinical Excellence to develop guidance on children's and adolescent cancers. This will help primary care trusts in the planning and delivery of future teenage cancer services.
§ Mr. EvansTo ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will make a statement on the effectiveness and provision of cancer wards for teenagers in England. [98511]
§ Ms BlearsThe particular needs of adolescents in the health service are being considered as part of the national service framework for children, young people and maternity services. In addition, we have asked the National Institute of Clinical Excellence to develop guidance on children's and adolescent cancers. This guidance will take account of the national service framework and will help primary care trusts (who have responsibility for assessing the health service needs of the local population) determine the most effective way to deliver services that meet the particular needs of this group of cancer patients.
§ Mr. EvansTo ask the Secretary of State for Health how many beds have been available in specialist teenage cancer wards in England each year since 1997. [98513]