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Cancer: Health Services

Asked by Helen MaguireLiberal DemocratDepartment of Health and Social CareTabled Answered 28 April 2026UIN 129771

The question

To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what his planned timeline is for (a) implementing and (b) making available the cancer manuals.

Answered by Mrs Sharon Hodgson

The Department and NHS England will establish clear quality standards for cancer delivery through cancer manuals, published by tumour type. Quality standards will incorporate clinical-effectiveness, safety, and experience of care, in line with the definition of quality set out in the 10-Year Health Plan. The manuals will provide a consistent framework against which clinicians, trust boards, and commissioners can assess the quality of their service.

Over time, cancer manuals will be transformed into a continuous learning platform, informed by real-time feedback from patients and artificial intelligence supported learning. Publication will begin in 2027.

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