Prostate Cancer: Radiotherapy
The question
To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what estimate he has made of the average travel distance for patients accessing SABR treatment for prostate cancer.
Answered by Mrs Sharon Hodgson
The clinical commissioning policy for stereotactic ablative radiotherapy (SABR) for localised prostate cancer was supported by an Equality and Health Inequalities Impact Assessment. This identified several potential benefits for patients, including fewer visits to hospital for treatment and access to a less invasive treatment option where clinically appropriate.
The assessment did not include an estimate of average travel distances. However, it is expected that all commissioned radiotherapy providers will offer SABR treatment for prostate cancer.
Since April 2025, responsibility for commissioning radiotherapy services has been delegated to integrated care boards. This includes responsibility for planning radiotherapy provision locally, taking account of local population needs and service requirements.
Verbatim has judged this answer against the question that was actually asked — answered, partly answered, or evaded. Sign in to see the verdict →