Below is the text of a Written Parliamentary Question that Sir Oliver sent to the Department for Health about satellite radiotherapy centres, and the reply that he recieved.

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Q: To ask the Secretary of State for Health, if he will make it his policy to provide satellite radiotherapy centres for patients who live in places which are inaccessible for existing radiotherapy centres; and if he will make a statement. 

A: NHS England will continue to review the need for additional radiotherapy facilities outside the current centres if the case for change is of benefit to sufficient patients to deem it economically viable and if it enhances the existing pathways of cancer care.

The Radiotherapy Clinical Reference Group is planning to build on an earlier assessment of radiotherapy demand and capacity for England by considering aspects such as innovative treatments, stock of equipment and how need differs across different localities. This national overview will enable commissioners to ensure that the right services are in the right places to meet future demand, including innovative forms of radiotherapy.