§ Mr. BurstowTo ask the Secretary of State for Health what networks in each specialty have been established in each strategic health authority. [118766]
§ Mr. HuttonInformation on networks established within each strategic health authority (SHA) is not held centrally.
However, cancer, coronary heart disease and mental health services in England are organised into networks. Cancer services are organised into 34 networks. These networks are not contained within or coterminous with SHA boundaries, as they have been developed to reflect patients' pathways of care and the clinical community of care. A similar approach is being taken to coronary heart disease services, which are being organised into about 30 networks. The National Institute for Mental Health in England is establishing a national mental health network, which is based on eight development centres across England, but makes links with neighbouring SHAs.