§ Bob SpinkTo ask the Secretary of State for Health what his policy is on improving information given to patients following diagnosis of cancer with respect to(a) prognosis, (b) probability of the cancer spreading, (c) treatment options and (d) the genetic implications for other family members. [125027]
§ Miss Melanie JohnsonThe Cancer Plan, published in September 2000, acknowledged the importance of ensuring patients have access to appropriate information at each stage of the care pathway and made a commitment to improving the content and availability of patient information.
Since the publication of the Cancer Plan, we have set up the Coalition for Cancer Information as a result of a recommendation from the Cancer Information Advisory Group. The Coalition, which includes members from key voluntary sector and national health service organisations, is now working to ensure that high quality information is delivered to patients and carers which is appropriate to their particular needs and will enable them to make informed decisions at: each stage.
In addition, the National Institute for Clinical Excellence (NICE) is currently preparing guidance for the NHS on supportive and palliative care. The draft guidance includes a chapter on information and recommends that all provider organisations should have a range of different information materials which is accessible and free at the point of delivery and that patients should be offered help to understand the materials they are given. The draft guidance is now out for consultation and can be found on the NICE website at www.nice.orq.uk. The final guidance is expected to be published early next year.