Paediatric Cancer Strategy for London 2023-10-17

2023-10-17

TAGS
Response quality

Questions & Answers

Q1 Direct Answer
Context
Professor Sir Mike Richards's review made national requirements for paediatric cancer services to be co-located with children's intensive care units. The current principal treatment centre in south London and the southeast does not meet these requirements.
What recent progress has NHS England made on implementing its paediatric cancer strategy for London?
Following Professor Sir Mike Richards's review, it is now a national requirement for all paediatric cancer services to be co-located with a children's intensive care unit. The current principal treatment centre for south London and the south-east does not meet those requirements. NHS England has launched a reconfiguration process to identify a new location, which includes a public consultation.
Assessment & feedback
Response accuracy
Q2 Direct Answer
Context
NHS England has initiated a reconfiguration process for paediatric cancer services in south London and the southeast, including a public consultation.
I am grateful to the Minister for that offer, because that would have been part of my question. What assurances are there about patient care during and after this reconfiguration?
I thank my hon. Friend for his supplementary question. While I cannot pre-empt the outcome of the consultation, which closes on 18 December, I can assure him that there will be no sudden changes in the way patients receive their care. Any move will of course be carefully planned with the full involvement of current teams, and clear information will be provided for parents and families. NHS England will help as many experienced staff as possible to move to the future centre.
Assessment & feedback
Response accuracy