Written question WQ88106
- Asked by
- Russell GeorgeConservative
- To be answered by
- Minister for Health and Social Services
- Tabled
- Due
- Answered
- Time to answer
- 8 days
Question
Will the Minister confirm whether the new test to revolutionise lung cancer diagnosis being rolled out in Wales will apply to all Wales-residing patients, even when being treated in England?
Answer
Answered by Minister for Health and Social Services
The test is being made available as part of a clinical study involving an expected 1,260 people who are being investigated for suspected stage III or IV lung cancer. As this is a clinical trial, this will therefore not include all people resident in Wales who have been diagnosed with lung cancer, regardless of where they are subsequently treated.
With regard to people who are treated in England for stage III or IV lung cancer, where their diagnostic investigations are delivered in Wales, they will be eligible to take part in the trial. If their diagnostic investigations take place in England, they would not be eligible. This is because providers in England would deliver their own genomic testing service according to their local commissioning arrangements.
The evaluation of the trial will inform whether or not the new test should become the standard of care in Wales and identify equity of access issues. If there is an issue for people receiving their diagnosis and treatment in England, then consideration would be given to the feasibility of offering the test as part of the pathway delivered in England.