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Cancer

Volume 487: debated on Monday 2 February 2009

To ask the Secretary of State for Health how much the Government plans to spend to modernise health service equipment for cancer treatments over the next three years; and what types of equipment are planned to be replaced. (251456)

As part of the Cancer Reform Strategy (CRS), £250 million capital funding has been made available over the next three years (2008-09 to 2010-11) to improve and modernise cancer equipment. This funding will be included in the total capital funding available to the national health service under the NHS capital planning process. Equipment which has reached the end of its useful life should be replaced under local capital investment strategies.

It will be for local determination to decide the level of funding required to meet the needs of their patients and to ensure local cancer services are delivered and equipment is maintained and replaced in accordance with commitments, standards and recommendations made in the CRS and other relevant guidance provided by professional bodies.