§ Mr. Gordon MarsdenTo ask the Secretary of State for Health what discussions his Department has had with primary care trusts about their role in implementing the preventative elements of the NHS Cancer Plan in(a) Blackpool and (b) England. [135985]
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§ Miss Melanie JohnsonNo specific discussions have taken place with primary care trusts (PCTs) about their role in implementing the preventative elements of the NHS Cancer Plan in Blackpool and England. It is for PCTs to discuss with their respective strategic health authorities their role in implementing the preventative elements of the NHS Cancer Plan.
A resource handbook is available for PCTs to highlight the opportunities for the challenges locally from the national service frameworks entitled, "National Service Frameworks: A Practical Aid to Implementation in Primary Care (2002)".
A resource to help health professionals implement the prevention aspects of the NHS Cancer Plan was launched on 1 November 2002 by the Health Development Agency. "Cancer Prevention: A resource to support local action in delivering the NHS Cancer Plan" makes recommendations for action based on the evidence of what works best to tackle Smoking; Diet and Nutrition; Obesity; Physical Activity; Alcohol; Sunlight and Radon—the seven key cancer risk factors highlighted in the NHS Cancer Plan.
Support has been made available in respect of the role of PCTs in delivering NHS stop smoking services, namely recommendations produced by the Health Development Agency entitled, "Meeting Department Of Health Smoking Cessation Targets: Recommendations for Primary Care Trusts" (ISBN: 1-84279-125-7) and available on the Department of Health's tobacco website. These recommendations cover all aspects of service delivery in this area to help PCTs to commission effective, efficient services.