Written question asked by Vincent Cable (Liberal Democrat) on Friday, 12 October 2018, in the House of Commons. It was due for an answer on Wednesday, 17 October 2018 (named day). It was answered by Steve Brine (Conservative) on Wednesday, 17 October 2018 on behalf of the Department of Health and Social Care.

Bowel Cancer: Screening

Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, with reference to the Prime Minister's remarks in her conference speech on 3 October 2018 on improving early diagnosis of cancer, if his Department will develop a fully funded plan to address NHS staff shortages in services that diagnose bowel cancer.

Answer: Health Education England published its first ever Cancer Workforce Plan in December 2017, which commits to the expansion of capacity and skills including an ambition to increase improved working practices, attracting qualified people back to the National Health Service through domestic and international recruitment. This will include 200 additional clinical endoscopists (in addition to 200 already committed to), 316 more gastroenterologists and 94 full time equivalent additional histopathologists to support an increase in the capacity for earlier diagnosis.

Secondary information