Oral question asked in the House of Commons, by Jane Kennedy (Labour). It was answered on Tuesday, 12 January 2010 on behalf of the Department of Health.

Cancer Treatment

Question: What are the latest figures for charitable giving to the Royal Liverpool Children's NHS Trust? If my hon. Friend does not have those figures to hand, may I, through him, pass on an invitation from the hospital to our right hon. Friend the Secretary of State? The hospital invites the Secretary of State to visit it so that, on his way to Goodison Park, he can see for himself the tremendous contribution that charitable giving makes to the new hospital that will be built with funds from the £1.2 billion committed by this Government to Merseyside for new hospitals.

Answer: My right hon. Friend is absolutely right to say that charitable giving makes a huge difference. Many people who have experience of the national health service want as a result to make a gift or donation to thank it for the support and care it has given them, or a loved one. Many charities work closely with NHS institutions and NHS charities. This is a cause for celebration, and I want to make it clear today how much we value that, and that that independence is absolutely right. There is no question whatever that charitable funds could be used as part of NHS budgets; I want that very important message to go out from the House today.

Secondary information