Welcome For Cancer Nurse Plan

Nursing leaders have welcomed a pledge that cancer patients could have their own personal specialist nurses.

The pledge is expected to be made today by Prime Minister Gordon Brown as he set out his stall for the coming general election.

Dr Peter Carter, chief executive of the Royal College of Nursing, said: "Investing in specialist nurses now is crucial not just to patients but to reduce the costs to the NHS from unnecessary complications.

"From the moment of diagnosis, cancer can be a subject of fear and distress, but more and more people are now living with cancer and beating the disease.

"Specialist nurses can help all cancer patients to deal with their emotions, avoid unnecessary complications and have a high quality of life. These skills, alongside their very high standards of clinical care and knowledge, provide the very best in one-to-one care for patients so I am very encouraged that the contribution of nurse specialists is being recognised."

Mr Brown is due to speak to the King's Fund think tank today.

He will pledge access to home treatment for cancer patients within five years - arguing that this could save £2.5 billion worth of hospital admissions.

But the Conservatives said a Labour government would struggle to find the cash for the nursing scheme.

Shadow health secretary Andrew Lansley said: "We support the principle of giving every cancer patient their own nurse. But I am surprised that Labour are able to find money to fund this new pledge when they are planning to cut the NHS budget.

"Gordon Brown needs to make clear to patients which other schemes he plans to cut in order to fund this new initiative."