Reid hits back at cancer cash report.
Byline: By JOHN VON RADOWITZHEALTH SECRETARY John Reid today defended the Government's commitment to fighting cancer after a damning report from an all-party group of MPs.
He claimed increased investment had helped secure a reduction in the number of deaths and brushed aside calls for a re-think on funding to ensure that the best treatment is delivered to patients across the country.
Mr Reid told BBC Breakfast: "What the report does tackle are some of the problems of success, because one of the big points it makes is who should be spending the extra pounds 570million a year that we are putting into cancer services."
Today's report, from the All Party Parliamentary Group on Cancer, said many of the country's 302 Primary Care Trusts were "struggling" to cope after they were handed the purse strings for cancer services at the start of the year.
They now take responsibility for commissioning cancer treatment from hospitals.
But the report claimed a lack of experience and managerial skills at local level was hampering progress aimed at ending delays in diagnosis and treatment, and hindering the purchase of drugs and equipment.
 Printer friendly
 Cite/link
 Email
 Feedback
| |
| Publication: | Coventry Evening Telegraph (England) |
|---|---|
| Date: | Oct 27, 2004 |
| Words: | 188 |
| Previous Article: | Dead tourist 'lost her way'. |
| Next Article: | Teacher has a scientific story to tell pupils. |