Multidisciplinary teams (MDTs) are the key way for delivering cancer services.  MDT working is the recognised model for providing care to cancer patients. MDTs bring all the relevant health care professionals together to ensure the patient gets the best care possible.  

The Forum is connected into the National MDT Taskforce.  The NI representative is Ms Margaret Fleming. The website for the national MDT co-ordiantors forum is http://www.cancerimprovement.nhs.uk/View.aspx?page=/cross_tumour/mdt.html.

A range of support personnel work with the MDTs to ensure that they function effectively and to help to ensure that patients move through the care pathway in a timely way. 

The MDT Support Personnel Forum:

• Facilitates the sharing of best practice locally and provide an opportunity to discuss the practical steps to ensure effective MDTs;
• Identifies the actions required by Trusts to achieve and sustain the cancer access standard;
• Develops a shared understanding of what is meant by prospective or active management of patients through the pathway;
• Learn from the best practice experiences in NI and elsewhere in the UK;
• Identify and address development needs; and
• Provide peer support.