Chemotherapy best practice guidelines published

All hospitals with an accident and emergency department should provide acute oncology services, the government has said.

Health minister Ann Keen made the announcement, which came after a recommendation on how to form best practice treatment for chemotherapy by the National Chemotherapy Advisory Group.

Cancer patients who have had a severe reaction to chemotherapy could benefit from the new services.

Ms Keen said: "The report's main recommendation is that all hospitals with emergency departments should establish an acute oncology service which will look after patients who develop severe side affects after chemotherapy."

She added that cancer treatment had improved in recent years and the "challenge now is to keep up the momentum".

Mike Richards, National Cancer Director, said that all hospitals should adopt the guidelines to "improve the quality and safety of their treatment".

The news was welcomed by Cancer Research UK, which has suggested that the "new initiative" encourages people to be aware of their symptoms.

Other recommendations from the report include making sure that the patient being treated for cancer is well communicated with.

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