Developing excellence in cancer
networks, a new report from the Cancer Campaigning Group
(CCG), calls for the NHS Commissioning Board to establish cancer
networks as Strategic Clinical Networks and recommends a series of
quality markers for what cancer networks can achieve when they're
working at their very best.
This latest piece of research uncovers insights from senior
network staff about how networks can help to improve patient
experience and outcomes, as well as support commissioners and
providers to deliver high-quality cancer services. The CCG
hopes that this will be a useful contribution to the ongoing
Department of Health work considering the role and responsibilities
of clinical networks in the future.
Commenting on the report, Owen Sharp of The Prostate Cancer
Charity, which is a member of the CCG, explains: "We know
that men with prostate cancer face a postcode lottery in the
quality of care they receive. This has to change - men
everywhere deserve quality prostate cancer care. Cancer
networks can play a pivotal role driving improvements in patient
experience and services. That's why we warmly welcome this
report, which sets out the high standard that cancer networks can
and should work to, to ensure the best and most effective cancer
services are available to every man with prostate cancer across the
country."
Cancer Campaigning Group Steering Group member, Lucy Grove
said:
"Cancer networks have the potential to significantly improve
integration of services across the whole health system, improving
cancer patient experience and outcomes.
"A commitment to retain cancer networks as Strategic Clinical
Networks is now essential. Clear roles and responsibilities need to
be set out to ensure cancer networks are able to deliver
'gold-standard' commissioning support across the entire
country."
Notes to editors
The full report is available at on our website: www.cancercampaigninggroup.org.uk
For more information please contact the Cancer Campaigning Group
secretariat on ccg@mhpc.com or
020 3128 8100.