Oral Answers to Questions

Lord Evans of Rainow Excerpts

Tuesday 25th January 2011 Commons Chamber

[Charlie Elphicke (Dover) (Con)]

2. What steps he plans to take to increase cancer survival rates.

[Graham Evans (Weaver Vale) (Con)]

10. What assessment he has made of the effects on survival rates of his Department’s cancer strategy.

--- Later in debate ---

[Paul Burstow]

Just last year the national clinical director published a report on the extent and causes of international variations in drug usage, which revealed that the UK tends to lag behind other countries in its use of newer cancer drugs. That is one reason why we have introduced the interim cancer drugs fund of £50 million in this current year and will introduce the full fund of £200 million from this April. That will help my hon. Friend’s constituent.

[Graham Evans]

What steps is my hon. Friend taking to ensure that all GP consortia will have access to the expertise they need to commission cancer services effectively?

[Paul Burstow]

The national cancer director will work with pathfinder GP consortia on commissioning cancer services, and that work will be fed into a cancer commissioning support pack that will be developed to support GP commissioners in discharging their functions effectively. Cancer networks will also be well placed to support GP consortia in that activity.