Peer Review of Cancer Services

2009/10 sees the introduction of a rolling programme of peer review of cancer services in Northern Ireland. The programme will commence with peer review of the following multidisciplinary teams (MDTs): colorectal; lung; breast; and gynaecological. These MDTs see just over half of all patients newly diagnosed cancers each year.

About peer review

Peer review will benchmark our cancer services against a range of standards outlined inthe Manual of Cancer Services Standards (DoH, 2004). The Manual sets a range of standards relating to MDT structures and processes including: membership and attendance; policies and protocols; involvement in audit; recruitment to cliinical trials; use of patient feedback in service improvement and planning.

The aim of peer review

to ensure services are as safe as possible.
to improve the quality and effectiveness of care
to improve the patient and carer experience of care
to provide development and learning for everyone involved
to encourage the sharing of good practice

Who will be leading the review?

The review is being led by the National Peer Review Team who have been delivering the same programme in England for a number of years. The team leading the review comprises:

Mr Mike Bellamy - Quality Director
Ms Angela Hoyes - Qualty Manager
Mr John Bolton - Clinical Lead

The teams that will undertake the actual peer review visits will also include a range of cancer professionals as well as lay or patient reviewers. The cancer professionals will be sourced in England. The lay reviewers will be identiifed and trained locally.

Resources

This section provides access to a range of resources that will support Trusts in preparing for peer review.

All Teams

NI Peer Review Handbook

For a copy of NICaN Guidance on the key worker policy click here.

Breast MDTs

Manual measures - breast MDT

Breast evidence guide

Record of patient consultation

Gynae Teams

Manual measures - gynae

Gynae evidence guide