John Baron MP questions Health Secretary over cancer survival

MP pushes for earlier diagnosis at local level

Today in the House of Commons, during Health Questions, John Baron MP questioned the Secretary of State for Health, Rt Hon Jeremy Hunt MP, about cancer survival. In December, the NHS Commissioning Board accepted the arguments put forward by the All-Party Parliamentary Group on Cancer (APPGC) and others, and included one- and five-year cancer survival rate indicators in the Commissioning Outcomes Framework (COF), which will hold the local NHS to account.

The one- and five-year rates will increase survival by driving up earlier diagnosis, as the earlier cancer is detected, the more successfully it can be treated. The COF has since been restyled as the Clinical Commissioning Group (CCG) Outcomes Indicator Set. However, it is not clear how the CCG Outcomes Indicator Set will be used to keep tabs on underperforming CCGs.

John said,

“The All-Party Parliamentary Group on Cancer is delighted that the one- and five-year cancer survival rate indicators have been included in the CCG Outcomes Indicator Set. We campaigned for this knowing it would drive forward earlier diagnosis. Can the Secretary of State outline how CCGs will be held to account through this Indicator Set; for example, what action will be taken against underperforming CCGs?”

The Secretary of State replied that he will monitor the situation closely, and will ask questions if underperforming CCGs are not tackled.

John said afterwards,

“The Secretary of State is right to keep a close eye on the matter. The Government’s ambitious plans to save an extra 5,000 cancer lives by 2014/15 risk being derailed if the local NHS does not raise its game. The APPGC will continue to press on this issue.”

Ends

Word Count: 288

Date: 15^th January 2013

Notes to Editors:

• John is the Chairman of the All-Party Parliamentary Group on Cancer.
• Beginning in April, Clinical Commissioning Groups will be replacing Primary Care Trusts.