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Radiotherapy: Finance

Asked by Ian LaveryLabourDepartment of Health and Social CareTabled Answered 29 April 2026UIN 129115

The question

To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what comparative assessment has been made of the cost to the NHS of delivering proton beam therapy domestically versus overseas.

Answered by Mrs Sharon Hodgson

The Department does not have data on proton beam therapy commissioning costs, including overseas referrals, and has not compared the cost to NHS England of providing this treatment in England or the United Kingdom versus abroad. No assessment has been made of the potential impact of increasing the availability of proton beam therapy. Treatment for cancer is highly individualised and decisions about cancer treatment are typically made by clinicians and multidisciplinary teams of healthcare professionals.

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