An experimental scheme to cut the time NHS patients wait for cancer treatment was hailed as a success yesterday by John Hutton, the health minister.

Under a new system of streamlined cancer services, bowel cancer patients attending Wirral hospitals in Merseyside were treated within 45 days of referral, compared with 130 days before.

The Department of Health said it invested £7.5 million in the expansion of improved cancer service co-ordination this year and will invest £15 million next year. The programme will be available nationwide over the next few years.