APPENDIX 3
Memorandum submitted by Professor James
Malpas
With regard to the NHS Cancer Plan my impression
is that, although more money has been allocated to cancer, it
is not reaching the clinic. The perception is that it is being
purloined by the Trusts to reduce their debt. Unless the money
is ring-fenced this will continue to happen. There is a view that
this could be prevented if the new Cancer Networks had financial
control, this would also improve the targeting of resources.
I attended a seminar on the National Cancer
Research Institute and it would appear that some progress is being
made. The proposed organisation appears very cumbersome and, although
a steering group has been set up, I am not convinced there is
great enthusiasm.
Cancer Registration is the fundamental source
of information on the survival of patients with cancer. The supine
response of the GMC to proposals that would interfere with the
collection of this data would remove at one stroke any chance
of knowing whether the National Cancer Plan had been successful.
It is imperative that statistical data collection continues and
is improved. I would make a plea that the status quo on
cancer registration should be vigorously defended and furthermore
that cancer registration is better funded in the future.
Professor James Malpas
1 December 2001
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