Breast Cancer Care reaction to White Paper

“As an organisation that supports people affected by with breast cancer, we would hope that the government’s ambitious plans to reform the NHS could help deliver earlier diagnosis and faster access to treatment, bringing the UK up to speed with our European counterparts.

“However, there are currently many unanswered questions in this white paper.

“In particular, we have concerns that the role and expertise of the current Cancer Networks could be lost and we would like assurances that this will not be the case.

“We would question the current level of expertise among GPs to commission services for people living with secondary (advanced) breast cancer who we know have very specific needs and currently receive poorer support than patients with primary breast cancer.

“We would also question how breast cancer patients without their own transport, those who are older or less fit, could exercise real choice in travelling further for better treatment. Our fear is that such factors could contribute to bigger health inequalities.

“We would like to see commissioning teams that include healthcare professionals with a wide range of expertise, including nurses and clinical nurse specialists who already play a pivotal role in caring for breast cancer patients and understand their needs.
“We look forward to taking part in a full consultation on these proposals and seeing greater detail on how the dedicated interim cancer drug fund to operate from April 2011 will work to the greatest benefit of patients.”
Ends

Notes to editors:

For further media information, please contact
Sophie Howells
0207 960 3531/ 0770 290 1334
sophie.howells@breastcancercare.org.uk

Breast Cancer Care is here for anyone affected by breast cancer. We bring people together, provide information and support, and campaign for improved standards of care. We use our understanding of people’s experience of breast cancer and our clinical expertise in everything we do.Visit www.breastcancercare.org.uk or call our free helpline on 0808 800 6000.