Paul Burstow MP writes: Continuing to support Cancer Networks (Twickenham & Richmond Liberal Democrats)

Paul Burstow MP writes: Continuing to support Cancer Networks

June 1, 2011 11:17 AM

• [May 31] Paul Burstow writes: . . OVER the last decade, Cancer Networks have had a crucial role in driving forward improvements in the quality of cancer services and patients' experience of care. The 28 networks are widely admired for their work in helping improve the commissioning and delivery of cancer care across England. In particular, they have contributed successfully to the establishment of multidisciplinary teams that bring together staff with the necessary knowledge, skills and experience to ensure high quality diagnosis, treatment and care. They have been hugely valuable in helping commissioners, providers and patients work together to plan and deliver high quality cancer services. And importantly they offer a model for other conditions.

. . Whilst saying absolutely nothing to suggest that we were abolishing cancer networks, I recognise that our silence about their future funding caused a huge amount of uncertainty. As the Minister responsible for cancer I've listened to the concern that organisations, such as Macmillan Cancer Support, have expressed about the long term future of cancer networks. I've listened and made sure that as a Government we act on these concerns.

We've used the "pause" in the Health and Social Care Bill to go back to the drawing board and guarantee that cancer networks will now be maintained beyond 2013. As the Minister responsible, I'm delighted that the NHS Commissioning Board will host and support Cancer Networks on a continuing basis, strengthened as a means of bringing together, continuously to improve outcomes for cancer patients . .

• Paul Burstow MP writes: Continuing to support Cancer Networks [Lib Dem Voice]

• NHS Cancer Networks