Dr. Stoate: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what guidance his Department has issued on the provision of cancer clinical nurse specialists.

Ann Keen: The Department has not issued any specific guidance on the provision of cancer clinical nurse specialists.

However, the Cancer Reform Strategy addresses the issue of clinical nurse specialists. The strategy, published on 3 December 2007, sets out the important role clinical nurse specialists have to play in improving the experience of people with cancer. It also noted that commissioners and providers should give particular consideration to the role of these nurses.

In addition, the National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence has also identified clinical nurse specialists as core members of multidisciplinary teams in their Improving Outcomes series of cancer service guidance.

The Cancer Reform Strategy reiterated the need to fully implement this guidance across the national health service.

Dr. Stoate:  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what discussions his Department has had with  (a) professional and  (b) patient representatives on the use of cancer clinical nurse specialists.

Ann Keen: The Department has had no discussions with professional and patient representatives specifically on the use of cancer clinical nurse specialists.

However, the issue of cancer clinical nurse specialists was discussed by a number of advisory groups during the development of the Cancer Reform Strategy. These groups included both professional and patient representatives. The strategy was published on 3 December 2007. It set out the important role the clinical nurse specialist has to play in improving the experience of people with cancer. It also noted that commissioners and providers should give particular consideration to the role of these nurses.

In addition, the National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence has also identified clinical nurse specialists as core members of multidisciplinary teams in their Improving Outcomes series of cancer service guidance.

The Cancer Reform Strategy reiterated the need to fully implement this guidance across the national health service.