HC Deb 16 July 2003 vol 409 cc406-7W
Laura Moffatt

To ask the Secretary of State for Health what progress is being made to appoint more cancer nurse specialists. [124602]

Mr. Hutton

I refer my hon. Friend to the reply I gave my hon. Friend the Member for Norwich, North (Dr. Gibson) on 10 July 2003,Official Report, column 1001–02W.

Mr. Havard

To ask the Secretary of State for Health (1) how much blood transfusions for cancer patients cost the NHS in each of the last five years; and what the main costs were; [123379]

(2) how many cancer patients have had their chemotherapy postponed in the last year because of bed shortages; [123380]

(3) what estimate he has made in the last year of the number of bed days that would be saved if alternatives to blood transfusions were used for cancer patients; [123381]

(4) what information on blood transfusion and its alternatives is provided to cancer patients who are being treated for anaemia-related fatigue. [123383]

Miss Melanie Johnson

Information on the cost to the national health service of blood transfusions for cancer patients and on the numbers of cancer patients who have had their chemotherapy treatment postponed due to bed shortages is not collected centrally.

The Department does not collect data centrally that would enable it to make an accurate assessment of the potential economic benefits, such as saved bed days, of using alternatives to blood transfusions.

There is a national patient information leaflet published earlier this year and produced by the National Blood Service for patients who may receive a blood transfusion. The leaflet includes a section on alternatives to blood transfusions—although this is directed principally at surgical rather than cancer patients. When the leaflet is next reviewed, consideration will be given to providing more information en other possible alternatives to blood transfusion. In addition, guidance on information provision for cancer patients will be included in supportive and palliative care guidance currently being produced by the National Institute for Clinical Excellence. We expect the guidance to be published early next year.