20.06.12
Funding for cancer networks could be slashed
Cancer networks are facing cuts totalling nearly half their budgets, it has been reported.
But the Department of Health has denied that funding for the networks will be cut from £18.5m in 2012-13 to £10m the following year, as has been suggested, saying no decision has yet been made.
There are 28 networks acrossEngland, made up of teams of up to 15 cancer specialists, who work with hospitals to provide patients with the most up-to-date treatment and best available drugs.
In a Westminster Hall debate on Tuesday, Burstow told MPs: “We have provided funding for the remaining year for which the department is responsible. Indicative figures have been set out. A review is going on of clinical networks and how they are governed. That will ultimately determine precisely how much resource is allocated. There is no final figure at this stage.”
The figures were set out in a DH document published in April, which suggested £10m would be made available to run all clinical networks and senates.
Liz Kendall, the shadow social care minister, said: “Andrew Lansley promised to protect funding for cancer networks. But today the Government has confirmed what Labour and many organisations that work with cancer patients have feared all along – that funding for cancer networks will be slashed and their future put at risk.
“Cancer networks play an absolutely vital role in improving the quality of cancer care, by bringing hospital and community services together, sharing best practice and involving cancer patients and the groups that represent them. The Government risks destroying the foundations of better cancer services inEngland. They must think again and stop their reckless plans.”
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