John Baron MP: Today’s report from 50 cancer charities reinforce concerns over cancer network funding

MP again presses Secretary of State over funding query in House of Commons

During the NHS Reform Debate in the House of Commons late yesterday, John Baron MP pressed the Rt. Hon. Andrew Lansley MP [Secretary of State for Health] over a key concern many in the cancer community have about the potential loss of commissioning expertise caused by the guaranteed funding for cancer networks coming to an end in 2012.

Today, these concerns were reinforced in a report by the Cancer Campaigning Group [CCG] – a coalition of nearly 50 cancer charities.

In the Debate late yesterday, John asked:

“The case for NHS reform is well established given that our cancer survival rates are well below the European average. However, the whole cancer community would breathe a sigh of relief if the guaranteed funding for cancer networks could be extended to 2014 when the transition period for GP commissioning comes to an end. Will he take a fresh look at this because to guarantee funding only until 2012 risks losing valuable expertise from these networks?”

The Health Secretary agreed that guaranteed funding would stop in 2012 but that he hoped when the National Commissioning Board took over responsibility in 2012 it would explore how it can use the networks as a basis for having precisely the kind of commissioning structure we want.

But John’s concerns were reinforced this morning by the release of a survey by the CCG which found that four in five [82%] GPs believe they will need specialist support if they are to commission cancer services effectively. The CCG believes cancer networks are ideally placed to provide this support.

In response, John said:

“This survey makes clear that GP consortia will need specialist support to commission cancer services.  Cancer networks are ideally placed to provide this support. Yet the networks’ guaranteed funding stops in 2012, two years before GP consortia are fully operational. This is not sensible.”

“As the Government conducts the listening exercise into the Health Bill, I hope it now takes action following this survey.”

John is Chairman of the All Party Parliamentary Group on Cancer. His number is 07714961315.

The full report is available at www.cancercampaigninggroup.org.uk . For more information please contact the Cancer Campaigning Group secretariat on ccg@mhpc.com or 020 3128 8100.

At Health Oral Questions on 26 April, John asked:

T5. [52577] Mr John Baron (Basildon and Billericay) (Con): There is some concern about whether GP consortia will be given enough specialist support when commissioning integrated cancer services. Will my right hon. Friend use the pause in the passage of the Health and Social Care Bill to consider extending the guarantee for cancer network funding from 2012 to 2014, when the transition period ends and GP commissioning comes fully into effect?

The Minister of State, Department of Health (Paul Burstow): I am grateful to the hon. Gentleman for his question. The listening exercise is a genuine one, and we intend to bring forward appropriate changes as a result. I can certainly give the commitment that we will want to take on board such representations. We are, and consistently have been, committed to such clinical networks for the valuable contribution they make.