PARLIAMENTARY WRITTEN QUESTION
Cancer: Health Services (5 July 2021)

To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what steps he is taking to ensure that NHS backlogs in cancer care are tackled consistently under recovery plans being implemented at a local level; if he will take steps to ensure that there is consistency in the provision of NHS cancer care throughout England; and if he will make a statement.

Asked by:
Navendu Mishra (Labour)

NHS Planning Guidance 2021/2022 outlines the cancer recovery priorities and the key actions to encourage patients to come forward and ensure capacity is in place to treat them. Local systems, drawing on advice and analysis from their Cancer Alliance, will ensure that there is sufficient diagnostic and treatment capacity in place to meet cancer needs.

Cancer Alliances bring together clinical and managerial leaders from different hospital trusts and other health and social care organisations, to transform the diagnosis, treatment, and care for cancer patients in their local area. These partnerships enable care to be more effectively planned across local cancer pathways, to ensure consistency.

Answered by:
Jo Churchill (Conservative)
19 July 2021