Menu
30/09/2003
£50m boost for terminal cancer services
Services for long-term cancer patients have received a £50 million investment boost today following an announcement by Health Secretary John Reid.
A national partnership group, made up of voluntary sector organisations and representatives of the NHS, has allocated the distribution of £50 million across the country for improved care for people with terminal cancer. This funding represents a significant increase in NHS funding for specialist cancer care, which is around 40% above 2000 levels.
The decisions that have been made include investment in: 70 additional consultants in palliative medicine to give more people access to relief from their pain; 162 more clinical nurse specialists to support patients and families at home, hospitals and care homes; additional Marie Curie nurses; and 86 more hospice beds to give patients and families the extra support they need.
Health Secretary John Reid said: "Providing the best possible care for people with cancer is not just about money, it is about using it in the right way to bring relief from pain and allowing people to keep their dignity while fighting the disease.
"The partnerships with the voluntary sector, which have helped with the distribution of this funding, know from first hand experience where the money is most needed and how it can be put to the best use.
Dr Richard Hillier, consultant at St Joseph's Hospice, London, welcomed the announcement.
"Targeted funding to bring good palliative care to all patients and families who need it, wherever they are and to support hospices is precisely what is wanted," he said.
"Already, hospitals, community teams and palliative care services are working more collaboratively. Our challenge at the coalface is to ensure that we deliver. And that is what we shall do."
The funding is in support of the NHS Cancer Plan commitment to invest an extra £50 million in specialist palliative care by 2004. Ministers have now set up a £50 million per annum central budget for specialist palliative care for the three years from 2003-04.
(gmcg)
A national partnership group, made up of voluntary sector organisations and representatives of the NHS, has allocated the distribution of £50 million across the country for improved care for people with terminal cancer. This funding represents a significant increase in NHS funding for specialist cancer care, which is around 40% above 2000 levels.
The decisions that have been made include investment in: 70 additional consultants in palliative medicine to give more people access to relief from their pain; 162 more clinical nurse specialists to support patients and families at home, hospitals and care homes; additional Marie Curie nurses; and 86 more hospice beds to give patients and families the extra support they need.
Health Secretary John Reid said: "Providing the best possible care for people with cancer is not just about money, it is about using it in the right way to bring relief from pain and allowing people to keep their dignity while fighting the disease.
"The partnerships with the voluntary sector, which have helped with the distribution of this funding, know from first hand experience where the money is most needed and how it can be put to the best use.
Dr Richard Hillier, consultant at St Joseph's Hospice, London, welcomed the announcement.
"Targeted funding to bring good palliative care to all patients and families who need it, wherever they are and to support hospices is precisely what is wanted," he said.
"Already, hospitals, community teams and palliative care services are working more collaboratively. Our challenge at the coalface is to ensure that we deliver. And that is what we shall do."
The funding is in support of the NHS Cancer Plan commitment to invest an extra £50 million in specialist palliative care by 2004. Ministers have now set up a £50 million per annum central budget for specialist palliative care for the three years from 2003-04.
(gmcg)
Related UK National News Stories
Click here for the latest headlines.
20 January 2010
Tailored Care For Cancer Survivors
All cancer survivors are set to receive personalised care plans, the Government has said. The National Cancer Survivorship Initiative vision between the Department of Health and Macmillan Cancer Support sets out a two year objective to ensure that cancer survivors receive the support and services to meet their needs.
Tailored Care For Cancer Survivors
All cancer survivors are set to receive personalised care plans, the Government has said. The National Cancer Survivorship Initiative vision between the Department of Health and Macmillan Cancer Support sets out a two year objective to ensure that cancer survivors receive the support and services to meet their needs.
08 August 2011
Cancer Survivors 'Should Exercise', Charity Claims
More than a million cancer survivors could be putting themselves at risk of long-term health problems because they are not physically active enough, a report by Macmillan Cancer Support has claimed. The charity's report, Move More, said that of the two million cancer survivors in the UK, around 1.
Cancer Survivors 'Should Exercise', Charity Claims
More than a million cancer survivors could be putting themselves at risk of long-term health problems because they are not physically active enough, a report by Macmillan Cancer Support has claimed. The charity's report, Move More, said that of the two million cancer survivors in the UK, around 1.
01 April 2009
New Law To Strengthen Protection Of Vulnerable People
Some of the most vulnerable people in society will be better protected against abuse and poor care as a result of new legislation coming into force today. People who lack capacity in hospitals and care homes will now be protected by a new law nown as the 'Mental Capacity Act Deprivation of Liberty Safeguards'.
New Law To Strengthen Protection Of Vulnerable People
Some of the most vulnerable people in society will be better protected against abuse and poor care as a result of new legislation coming into force today. People who lack capacity in hospitals and care homes will now be protected by a new law nown as the 'Mental Capacity Act Deprivation of Liberty Safeguards'.
31 January 2006
Anti-euthanasia alliance formed
A new alliance has been formed to promote improved palliative care and oppose attempts to legalise assisted suicide or euthanasia. The UK-based 'Care Not Killing' alliance includes human rights and healthcare groups, such as the British Council of Disabled People, the Association for Palliative Medicine and the Medical Ethics Alliance.
Anti-euthanasia alliance formed
A new alliance has been formed to promote improved palliative care and oppose attempts to legalise assisted suicide or euthanasia. The UK-based 'Care Not Killing' alliance includes human rights and healthcare groups, such as the British Council of Disabled People, the Association for Palliative Medicine and the Medical Ethics Alliance.
09 June 2006
Herceptin approved for early breast cancer use on NHS
Breast cancer drug Herceptin has been approved for the treatment of early stage breast cancer on the NHS by the National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence. Herceptin is effective on the HER2 positive form of breast cancer, which forms around 20% of all breast cancer cases.
Herceptin approved for early breast cancer use on NHS
Breast cancer drug Herceptin has been approved for the treatment of early stage breast cancer on the NHS by the National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence. Herceptin is effective on the HER2 positive form of breast cancer, which forms around 20% of all breast cancer cases.
-
Northern Ireland WeatherThis Evening and Tonight:Scattered showers and clear spells continue through this evening, becoming dry with clear skies developing in places for a time overnight. Clouding over again from the west by sunrise. Minimum temperature 3 °C.
