APPENDIX 15
Memorandum submitted to the CRC Department
of Medical Oncology, Christie CRC Research Centre, Christie Hospital
NHS Trust
There has certainly been some progress in that
NICE approved drugs are now properly funded. Unfortunately there
is little evidence of other hypothecated funding reaching us here.
Certainly the most visible hypothecated form funding would be
the extra posts planned as part of achieving the national cancer
plan. As far as additional consultant oncology posts go, we are
lagging well behind the proposed timetable for increases in numbers
of consultants. We started below the national average and are
falling further behind. I feel that this will not be rectified
unless the money comes direct as earmarked funding to the cancer
networks. Ideally there should also be a long-term commitment
so that proper planning can be achieved rather than year by year.
Regrettably the Christie Hospital is in the
last wave of cancer research networks. As such we have yet to
receive any of the funding from the NCRN. We are hopeful that
we will receive significant funding from the NCRN and this will
facilitate the development of research network within our large
cancer network. The translational research centres appear to be
a good idea and we have submitted an application to be one of
those.
We are a CRC centre and the links between the
CRC and ICRF to become a single organisation along with a more
effective National Cancer Research Institute, should enable major
developments to happen. I have not seen much direct evidence of
this yet but things do at least seem to be moving in the right
direction.
Overall, my impression is that research aspects
are moving forward and we remain optimistic that the plan is sound.
Clearly more funding is needed particularly for translational
research. I am however, more concerned about the service developments.
Large amounts of hypothecated funding have been proposed but there
is little evidence of that reaching us here in what is a very
large cancer centre. A medium term (three to five year) plan to
increase consultant, nurse, radiographer and other professions
allied to medicine in cancer care, is vital. It is currently very
difficult to plan these posts and we cannot do that effectively
without secure commitment of funding from the government. It would
be far better if that was to come direct to the cancer networks
rather than indirectly via any other route.
Robert E Hawkins
CRC Professor of Medical Oncology
4 December 2001
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