CANCER STRATEGY AT RISK FROM GOVERNMENT INABILITY TO SECURE VALUE FOR MONEY - LAMB

12.05.59pm GMT Mon 3rd Dec 2007

Commenting on the NHS Cancer Reform Strategy announced today by the Government, Liberal Democrat Shadow Health Secretary, Norman Lamb MP said: "This new strategy is put at risk from the Government's inability to secure value for money in the NHS."

"Money has been poured into our cancer services, yet our survival rates are still lower than the European average. The sad truth is that too much investment has been wasted on organisational upheaval and top down bureaucracy."

"We are also suffering from the legacy of Tory under-investment in the health service, which left people with unacceptably long waits."

"This new cancer plan must focus on closing the growing gap in public health outcomes - which put the most disadvantaged groups at greater risk of serious disease."