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Work being done to support timely access to cancer services
access standards.1. Guidance for referral of patients with suspect cancer
The Northern Ireland Guidance for Suspected Cancer reflects recommended best practice for the referral of patients with suspect cancer. The guidance was developed by NICaN's Tumour Networks and Primary Care Network and builds on exisiting NICE guidance on the referral of patients with suspect cancer.
- To facilitate appropriate referral between primary & secondary care for patients whom a GP suspects may have cancer.
- To improve cooperation & communication between general practice and the hospital sector.
- To promote better quality and equitable care for people in Northern Ireland.
2. Development of care pathways that incorporate the Cancer High Impact Changes
Cancer Care Pathways outline the steps and stages in the patient journey from referral through to diagnostics, staging, treatment, follow up, rehabilitation and if applicable onto palliative care.
Timed effective care pathways are key to ensuring that patients receive timely, good quality care throughout their cancer journey and to ensure that patients receive the same care no matter where in the Province they live. NICaN Regional Tumour Groups have worked to produce an ‘ideal’ pathway for each tumour site that can be adapted for local use. All the pathways include the principles of the Cancer High Impact Changes across the pathway and are based on evidence and best practice.
To access copies of the pathways for each tumour site click here
3. Development of diagnostics protocols for inter trust transfers
A significant minority of patients will be transferred from their local hospital to the Cancer Centre for assessment and treatment. The Diagnostic Protocols for Inter Trust Transfer outline the clinical investigations that need to be completed before transfer to the cancer centre. These protocols help to avoid delay and duplication of diagnostic and staging tests; and ensure that there are no gaps or conflicting pathways operating in organisations along the patient pathway. These protocols are currently in use across the region.
These protocols, in tandem with the care pathways, will ensure that patients have a quality, timely and effective experience at all stages of their pathway.
Click here to access copies of the protocols
4. Support & development of MDM coordinators / patient navigators
Cancer care is coordinated through multidisciplinary teams (MDTs). These teams meet regularly to discuss patients managment and care. They are supported by MDM coordinators or trackers. These staff play a key role within the MDT, ensuring that all of the necessary patients are dicussed and working to ensure that patients move through the cancer pathway quickly (i.e. booking scans, scheduling surgery etc).
The NICaN team supports a quarterly MDM Coordinator / Tracker Forum. The overall aim of the forum is to provide an opportunity for these staff to come together to access learning and development opportunities and to share good practice.
To find out more about the Forum and to access meeting papers click here.
5. Supporting development of a regional database
The Service Delivery Unit (DHSSPSNI) is working with the Northern Ireland Cancer Registry to develop a database for regional use that will be used to: monitor access standards; support MDT functioning; and clinical audit. This work is being supported by NICaN's tumour networks who are working with them to agree what information needs to be collected for each tumour type.
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