Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:

To ask the Secretary of State for Health, how the National Diagnostic Capacity Fund will support NHS commissioners and providers to utilise independent sector providers of diagnostic services.

Simon Stevens, Chief Executive of NHS England, announced on 6 December that £200 million would be available in 2017/18 and 2018/19 to support Cancer Alliances to develop their approach to earlier diagnosis and living with and beyond cancer. This will include investment both to make sure services are getting the most out of our existing capacity, and to support increases in diagnostic capacity. Cancer Alliances will be submitting bids for this funding through a ‘best possible value’ process. Although Cancer Alliances are free to include independent provision as part of their bid where they feel it is appropriate and meets the ‘best possible value’ criteria, it is not a requirement.