Parties clash over cancer targets

Tony Blair has promised to reduce waiting times for cancer diagnosis if Labour are elected for a third term.

Speaking at a press conference today, Mr Blair announced plans to reduce waiting times for diagnosis in breast, bowel and cervical cancer.

Mr Blair pledged to ensure that all suspected breast cancer cases would be seen by a consultant within two weeks of being referred by a GP by 2008.

Mr Blair also said that suspected bowel cancer cases would be seen by a specialist within two weeks and that all women would receive cervical smear test results within seven days by 2008.

Labour has already pledged to reduce the maximum waiting time for an NHS operation to eighteen weeks.

Mr Blair said: “Today, there are thousands of families anxiously waiting to hear back the results of their cancer tests. It is a nervous time for them. It could happen to any one of us. No government can take the worry away for women waiting for the return of cervical tests or to see a breast cancer specialist. New Labour believes it is the duty of government to reduce the uncertainty and anxiety families experience, when we can.”

Health Secretary John Reid said that Labour had been successful in ensuring 99% of breast cancer cases referred as “urgent” by GPs are seen by a specialist within two weeks. Mr Reid said that it was a “massive step”, but said, “more needs to be done”. He said: “These measures will all bring direct and speedier treatment to tens of thousands of people each year, but just as importantly they will bring reassurance to millions of people across the country by ending uncertainty.”

Health Minister Melanie Johnson, who was diagnosed with breast cancer in 2001, said: “Today we are saying to all women; ‘you will be treated as urgent cases – because when you find something wrong with your breast there is nothing more urgent in your life’.”

The Conservatives criticised Labour’s plans. Shadow Health Secretary Andrew Lansley said: “Conservatives have been calling on Mr Blair to scrap his targets which distort clinical priorities and prevent accurate GP referral. Typically, just days before a general election, Labour are trumpeting the expansion of their two week target for bowel and breast cancer as something special – but Mr Blair’s targets are misrepresentative and only tell you part of the story for only a handful of cancers.”

The Conservatives also unveiled plans to improve child healthcare by pledging to build five new children’s hospitals, if they win the next election.

Mr Lansley said that existing hospitals in Leeds, Nottingham, Derby, Cambridge and Southampton would be invited to bid for funding to support projects to bring their paediatric services together into a new children’s hospital.

Mr Lansley also said that the Conservatives would have a review on the “future configuration of children’s health services”.

(KMcA/GB)