Written question asked by David Wright (Labour) on Tuesday, 13 November 2007, in the House of Commons. It was due for an answer on Thursday, 15 November 2007. It was answered by Ann Keen (Labour) on Thursday, 29 November 2007 on behalf of the Department of Health.

Telford and Wrekin Primary Care Trust: Bowel Cancer

Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Health when the national bowel cancer screening programme will be implemented in the Telford and Wrekin primary care trust area.

Answer: The National Health Service Bowel Cancer Screening Programme is one of the first national bowel screening programmes in the world, and the first cancer screening programme in England to invite men as well as women. It is an ambitious project, with national roll-out of the programme expected by December 2009, with all people in the age range receiving an invitation by 2011. Implementation in the Telford and Wrekin area will occur on a phased basis from 2008-09. The provision of local health services is the responsibility of the local NHS organisations in conjunction with their strategic health authorities.

Secondary information