Kevin Barron (Rother Valley, Labour)

To ask the Secretary of State for Health

(1) how cancer networks will be integrated into the new commissioning system; [R]

(2) whether cancer networks will act as local branches of the strategic clinical networks for cancer; [R]

(3) what authority cancer networks will have. [R]

Daniel Poulter (Central Suffolk and North Ipswich, Conservative)

Strategic clinical networks will bring together all commissioners and providers in the new health system to plan pathways of care which deliver the best outcomes for patients. Commissioners will be able to use networks as a source of clinical advice and. support in driving their quality improvement programmes locally. Cancer is a priority condition for the first strategic clinical networks being established from 1 April 2013. Cancer strategic clinical networks will be supported and funded through network support teams hosted by the NHS Commissioning Board. The support teams will cover defined geographical areas and will also support networks for other priority conditions or patient groups.

Strategic clinical networks are non-statutory bodies. They will, however, have clear terms of reference and an annual accountability agreement with the NHS Commissioning Board for the programmes of quality improvement they carry out.

OK … …. …