NHS has ‘poor’ cancer care performance
02 I 03 I 11
Cancer care in England is lagging
behind the best European performers in key areas, according to a
report published today into cancer reform strategy.
The House of Commons Public
Accounts Committee has examined cancer services in the NHS and,
though progress was acknowledged, it has raised concerns about
variations in performance.
The report highlights the need for
quicker diagnosis, focussing on one year survival rates with a
possible 10,000 lives a year saved if the “poor” performance was
brought up to the standards of the best countries.
Margaret Hodge MP, chair of the
Committee of Public Accounts today said: “…the one year
survival rates in England are still poor compared with the best
performing European countries and that is generally a sign of low
awareness of symptoms, among the public and GPs, and late
diagnosis. There also remain unexplained wide variations across the
country in how cancer services perform and in types of treatment
available.”
Despite the criticisms, the report
also praised the progress that has been made in recent years,
particularly in terms of reducing waiting times.
You can view the ‘Delivering the
Cancer Reform Strategy’ report online at http://www.parliament.uk/ .
Legal resources for cancer patients
and their families can be found at our website Cancer Legal Help:
www.cancerlegalhelp.com .
This is an online resource developed by Hugh James offering a
unique package of legal services to help clients following their
diagnosis. Hugh James has considerable experience in advising
people diagnosed with cancer and their families.