Cancer plan making 'substantial progress'

Friday, 11 March 2005 12:00 AM

The Government has made "substantial progress" on meeting the targets set in its 10-year NHS Cancer Plan, according to a progress report.

The National Audit Office says establishing 34 cancer networks helped improve cancer services, and heralded successes including the introduction of new cancer drugs and developing plans for funding specialist palliative care.

However, it notes that the extent to which cancer networks are becoming fully established varies around the country. Not all cancer network management teams were fully staffed, and only one third produced workforce or education strategies, the NAO found.

Further, some Primary Care Trusts continued commissioning cancer services in isolation, despite being told to use cancer networks to help them plan.

The NAO also expresses concern that structural changes within the NHS, particularly establishing NHS foundation trusts, may pose challenges for the implementation of the plan. It warns that the freedoms given to foundation trusts may limit the effectiveness of partnership working with other bodies within cancer networks.

Head of the National Audit Office Sir John Bourn said: "Cancer networks have achieved much but there is more to be done if they are all to become fully effective: including better planning, more co-ordinated commissioning of cancer services, proper resourcing, and effective co-operation between constituent organisations.

"As the mid-point of the Cancer Plan is approached, the time is right for the Department of Health to consider how these matters can be addressed and take appropriate action."

The NAO recommends that the Department of Health makes any necessary changes to the cancer strategy, including clearly defining the roles of cancer networks' constituent organisations, and publishes progress updates annually.

It also says strategic health authorities should ensure the networks are properly resourced and have appropriate planning arrangements in place.

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