(2) how many patients were given (a) radiotherapy and (b) chemotherapy treatment for cancer (i) between October 2005 and September 2006 and (ii) between October 2006 and September 2007.

2005-06 (OPCS 4.2 codes)2006-07 (OPCS 4.3 and 4.2 codes)FCEs with a primary diagnosis of cancer and neoplasms1,520,5471,562,085FCEs with a primary diagnosis of cancer and neoplasms, a secondary diagnosis of ‘radiotherapy session’ and a ‘radiotherapy procedure code’1,5196,747FCEs with a primary diagnosis of cancer and neoplasms, a secondary diagnosis of ‘chemotherapy session’ and a ‘chemotherapy procedure code’372,744378,440 Notes:FCEAn FCE is defined as a period of admitted patient care under one consultant within one health care provider. The figures do not represent the number of patients, as a person may have more than one episode of care within the year.Cancer treatments i.e. radiotherapy and chemotherapy could take place in other settings, for example a patient could be classed as a ‘regular attender’ or these treatments may occur in out-patients.Diagnosis (Primary Diagnosis)The primary diagnosis is the first of up to 14 (seven prior to 2002-03) diagnosis fields in the HES data set and provides the main reason why the patient was in hospital.Primary diagnosis codes used for cancer and neoplasms: C00-D48Secondary DiagnosesAs well as the primary diagnosis, there are up to 13 (six prior to 2002-03) secondary diagnosis fields in HES that show other diagnoses relevant to the episode of care, Secondary diagnosis codes used for Radiotherapy session: Z51.0Secondary diagnosis codes used for Chemotherapy session: Z51.1Changes to Coding Classifications—OPCS4Operative procedure codes were revised for 2006-07. 2006-07 data use OPCS4.3 codes, whereas earlier data use OPCS4.2 codes. All codes that were in OPCS4.2 remain in OPCS4.3, however the OPCS4.3 codes enable the recording of interventions and procedures which were not possible in OPCS4.2. In particular OPCS 4.3 codes additionally includes high cost drugs and diagnostic imaging, testing and rehabilitation. You may also find that some activity may have been coded under different codes in OPCS4.2. These changes need to be borne in mind when analysing time series and may explain any growth over time. More information about OPCS4 changes are available on the Connecting for Health website www.connectingforhealth.nhs.uk.Main Procedure/InterventionThe main procedure/intervention is the first recorded procedure or intervention in the HES data set and is usually the most resource intensive procedure or intervention performed during the episode.Secondary ProcedureAs well as the main operative procedure, there are up to 11 (three prior to 2002-03) secondary operation fields in HES that show secondary or additional procedures performed on the patient during the episode of care.Data QualityHES are compiled from data sent by over 300 national health service trusts, and primary care trusts in England. Data are also received from a number of independent sector organisations for activity commissioned by the English NHS. The Information Centre for health and social care liaises closely with these organisations to encourage submission of complete and valid data and seeks to minimise inaccuracies and the effect of missing and invalid data via HES processes. While this brings about improvement over time, some shortcomings remain.Ungrossed DataFigures have not been adjusted for shortfalls in data (i.e. the data are ungrossed).Source:Hospital Episode Statistics (HES), The Information Centre for health and social care