Written question asked by Patsy Calton (Liberal Democrat) on Thursday, 20 June 2002, in the House of Commons. It was due for an answer on Wednesday, 17 July 2002. It was answered by Hazel Blears (Labour) on Wednesday, 17 July 2002 on behalf of the Department of Health.

Dept of Health

Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Health, what steps he is taking to ensure that the NHS Cancer Plan and the implementation of the NICE guidance do not suffer whilst the structural changes to the NHS become established. - (Holding answer 27 June 2002).

Answer: Mrs. Calton: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what steps he is taking to ensure that the NHS Cancer Plan and the implementation of the NICE guidance do not suffer while the structural changes to the NHS become established. [64387] Ms Blears: [holding answer 27 June 2002]: We recognise the need to maintain and improve delivery of services for patients while structural changes in the national health service are made. Strategic health authorities, primary care organisations and trusts are responsible for implementation of the Cancer Plan. They need to work through existing cancer networks to do this. Primary care trusts have a legal requirement to ensure that funding for the appropriate implementation of National Institute for Clinical Excellence technology appraisals will be available within three months.

Secondary information

Type: Written question
Reference: 389 c416W;389 c415W; 64387
Session: 2001-02
Subjects: Cancer NHS Medical equipment National Institute for Clinical Excellence
Link: View this Written question on www.publications.parliament.uk