NHS cancer care improved, but could do better - National Audit Office

The NAO estimates that cancer cost the NHS approximately £6.3bn in 2008-09, but the Department of Health has limited assurance as to whether it is achieving value for money. Reported spending on cancer care varies between Primary Care Trusts (PCT) - in 2008-09 varying from £55 to £154 per head - and there is unexplained variation from year to year. Amyas Morse, head of the National Audit Office, commented: "Further improvement depends, to a significant degree, on raising standards of practice around the country up to the best. A key factor in driving this is a much improved approach t...