What we're doing
We've been asking men and those affected by prostate cancer to lobby their own local health board – nearly 600 people have taken action and sent a letter to either their local Clinical Commissioning Group (CCG) or the Health Secretary, calling for change.
We've also been contacting NHS Trusts in the worst performing areas and asking what they are doing to meet the needs of prostate cancer patients. We’re trying to understand the barriers to providing good provision so we can find ways to help.
We're writing to all the Cancer Alliances and Cancer Vanguards in England, highlighting the difference in services across CCGs in their area, demanding that they address the current inequalities. We're also writing directly to the Health Secretary requesting a named person who is responsible for updating the National Commissioning Guidelines, which are nearly 18 years old.
Alongside this we've been developing an education programme for healthcare professionals to highlight the impact that ED has on an individual and the importance of ED provision after prostate cancer treatment.
However, there is still work to be done for all men to receive support for erectile dysfunction and we will continue to address these service provision inequalities.
We are:
- Working with Cancer Alliances and Cancer Vanguards in England
- Working across Scotland, Northern Ireland and Wales to address erectile dysfunction service provision variation
- Working to get the National Commissioning Guidelines updated
