CANCER

Manual for Cancer Services 2008: Cancer Research Network Measures (12th March 2010)
This revised Manual of Cancer Services is an integral part of the NHS Cancer Plan, Cancer Reform Strategy and modernisation of cancer services. It will support quality assurance of cancer services and enable quality improvement.
Document

National Cancer Patients' Experience Survey Programme 2010 (10th March 2010)
This letter informs that the Review of Central Returns Steering Committee (ROCR) have approved a national survey of cancer patients' experiences in all Trusts who offer adult acute cancer services . This survey is highlighted as a priority in the NHS Operating Framework 2010/11, section 2.24.
Information

Exceptional Progress? Assessing the progress made in improving access to treatment for people with rarer cancers (15th March 2010)
This new report from the Rarer Cancers Forum has highlighted continuing problems for people with rarer cancer in accessing treatment.

Key report findings:

• Although progress has been made in gaining access to treatment, with 8,750 more patients being given vital treatment, 16,000 have still been denied access to treatments that they may need.
• The National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence (NICE) needs to improve drug assessment time periods – with the Institute taking 21 months to appraise new cancer drugs, rather than the 6 months which has been promised by ministers.

Additional Findings:

• 40% of patients described their PCT’s cancer policy as easy to understand
• 36% of patients cannot find vital procedures and policies on PCT websites
• 49% of patients were unclear about how quickly they would hear a decision on a request for treatment

Report