Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:

To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, whether a decision has been reached on the sensitivity threshold for the faecal immunochemical test when it is introduced into the bowel cancer screening programme due to be implemented in April 2018; and if he will make a statement.

A decision is expected to be made in 2018/19 on the sensitivity threshold for the faecal immunochemical test (FIT) on its introduction to the bowel cancer screening programme.

NHS England remains committed to the implementation of FIT testing within the NHS Bowel Cancer Screening Programme from 2018. During 2018, NHS England will finalise a number of practical steps to ensure when FIT is implemented it is sustainable. These steps include: working with Public Health England who will be ensuring that the practical arrangements for managing the production and distribution of FIT kits are in place and working with local providers to ensure sufficient workforce capacity is in place to deliver FIT and save lives.