The North of England Cancer Network (NECN) was formed in January 2007 and covers a population of over 3 million service users. The NECN was established when the longstanding organisations, Northern Cancer Network and Cancer Care Alliance merged. The NECN oversees cancer services and encompasses 9 Acute Trusts, 5 Primary Care Trusts, several Hospices/Specialist Palliative Care services and spans 2 Strategic Health Authority areas.