UK Announces 4.5million GBP Funding For Cancer Services in Wales

Cancer services in Wales are to receive 4.5million of extra funding from the Welsh Assembly Government, the Minister for Health and Social Services, Dr Brian Gibbons, announced today.

The funding is being made available to support the Welsh Assembly Government's policy, Designed to Tackle Cancer, and also in response to the recommendations of the recent Health and Social Services Committee's Review of Cancer Services in Wales.

Dr Gibbons said: "Tackling cancer is a top Assembly Government health priority and I very much welcomed this review when it was published earlier this month.

"I am pleased that today I am able to announce that the Assembly is providing an additional 4.5million from 2007/08 to support the implementation of Designed to Tackle Cancer and the review's recommendations."

The funding will be allocated to each of the Regional Cancer Networks. Decisions on how best to use the allocation in direct support of the Network action plans and achievement of the National Cancer Standards will be made regionally by Local Health Boards and Health Commission Wales at Network Board level.

"It will be particularly important to ensure that those services commissioned by Health Commission Wales are taken fully in to account as part of this process," said Dr Gibbons, announcing the funding at Velindre Hospital, Cardiff.

Velindre NHS Trust Medical Director Dr Malcolm Adams said: "We are delighted to learn of this funding for the Regional Cancer Networks which we are sure will significantly benefit the cancer patients in Wales."

A small element of this funding will be used centrally to support all Wales initiatives such as support for training for cancer Multi Disciplinary Teams and the further development of the Cancer Information Framework.

This approach would support the implementation of the new regional commissioning arrangements and in turn help emphasise the role of the Networks in directing commissioning decisions. Both were key issues within the Committee's review.

Dr Gibbons said he was pleased that the Review did not raise any issue of major divergence or difference to the approach taken by the Assembly, but highlighted areas where a greater focus was needed. The Review highlighted the improvements that have been made and continued to be made in cancer services.

"The improvements which were highlighted are a tribute to the effort and dedication of our NHS staff who care for people with or at risk from cancer,"he added.