HC Deb 25 February 2004 vol 418 cc483-4W
Mrs. Calton

To ask the Secretary of State for Health pursuant to his answer, 16 December 2003,Official Report, column 877W, to the hon. Member for Christchurch (Mr. Chope), on brachytherapy treatment, by what date the Department will have decided whether the treatment referred to is a suitable topic for referral to the National Institute for Clinical Excellence as a technology appraisal. [154938]

Miss Melanie Johnson

It is not yet possible to say when the Department will be in a position to consider brachytherapy for the treatment of prostate cancer as a potential topic for referral to the National Institute for Clinical Excellence (NICE) as a technology appraisal.

More evidence on the effectiveness and cost effectiveness of brachytherapy in the treatment of prostate cancer will be needed for the Department to be able to consider its referral to NICE. It is not yet known when current studies are likely to produce such evidence.