The following are extracts from 'topical questions'
to Health and Social Care ministers in the Commons
today
... (North Warwickshire)
(Con)
T7. I have had concerns highlighted to me over the national
cancer patient experience survey in the light of the introduction
of a new national opt-out model. Can the Minister confirm that
the survey will continue to deliver the same high-quality data
annually and can he tell me when a final decision on its format
is likely to be made? [903802]
The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Health (Steve
Brine)
I have listened carefully to cancer charities, clinicians and
patients on the importance of the cancer patient experience
survey. I have been clear that, whatever form the CPES takes as a
result of the changes to how confidential data is shared, we want
the survey to continue with a methodology as close to that of the
current survey as possible.
... (Sutton and Cheam) (Con)
In Sutton, we have hugely exciting plans for a London cancer hub,
working with the Royal Marsden Hospital and the Institute of
Cancer Research, on a single campus to provide a global centre
for cancer innovation that will in turn provide a huge boost for
our local economy, including 13,000 new jobs. Will the Minister
join me in Sutton to see the opportunity at first hand? Will he
also tell us how such a project can help to deliver on our
Government’s life sciences strategy?
I am keen to visit my hon. Friend in Sutton, so let us fix a date
as soon as we can. Cancer survival rates are at an all-time high,
but I like the idea of a one-stop shop, and the hub that he talks
about could be very exciting.
... (Mid Norfolk) (Con)
Last week, our former colleague Tessa, now Baroness, Jowell gave
an inspiring speech about her battle with brain cancer. At this
first Health questions after that speech, I am sure that
colleagues will join me in paying tribute to her work and will
agree that she spoke with courage, grace and the desire to make
her suffering prevent others from having to go through the same.
Will the Secretary of State assure me that last week’s report
from the brain cancer research taskforce, which I set up as a
Minister, will be taken seriously in the Department and that
everything will be done to ensure that brain cancer, which has
been something of a Cinderella for years, receives the support
and funding that it deserves so that Tessa’s words were not in
vain?
I thank my hon. Friend for his work in this job on this subject.
The Secretary of State was in the other place to listen to
’s speech, and I read it and watched it back. It was a
moving and brave piece of work. We take this matter seriously. My
colleague Lord O’Shaughnessy has the report, which we are going
through line by line, and he and I will jointly chair a
roundtable on the subject in the next few weeks.
