CANCER IN SCOTLAND: ACTION FOR CHANGE
Fourth Monitoring Reports
1 April 2003 - 30 September 2003
Published February 2004
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North of Scotland Cancer Network (NOSCAN)
South East of Scotland Cancer Network (SCAN)
West of Scotland Cancer Network (WOSCAN)
This is the fourth monitoring report detailing regional cancer networks' progress with implementing investments to support Cancer in Scotland: Action for Change. This report covers the period from April 2003 to September 2003 including progress on investments from 2001-02 (updating the first monitoring report) and progress with 2002-03 investment/implementation plans (updating the previous monitoring reports). Subsequent monitoring reports will continue to monitor the outcomes of investments from the previous monitoring period in order to demonstrate the ongoing benefits to patients.
As the monitoring report is for the period to the mid point of the financial year (end of September 2003), the financial information is at this point a forecast of spend to the year end. Final figures on spend will be provided in the next monitoring report covering the period October 2003 to March 2004 due to be published in the summer.
Many of the investments are clearly demonstrating improvements and benefits to patient care. Specific details of each of the investments and the improvements they have made across Scotland can be found in each of the regional cancer networks' reports. Some highlights are:
Rapid Access to Diagnosis and Treatment
A fast track rectal bleeding clinic developed in Highland has seen 260 new patients in this first year and enabled a maximum outpatient waiting time of 2-3 weeks to be maintained.
The redesign of breast services in Lanarkshire now ensures the NHS QIS standards are met in that 80% of patients receive an appointment within two weeks and notification of results within 2 weeks.
Improving Cancer Treatment and Care
In Glasgow a clinical nurse specialist in breast cancer is seeing 150 new patients. The nurse led clinics free up 30-40 slots from other clinics allowing more time and an improved service to patients.
Investment in the Brachytherapy service in the West of Scotland has supported 139 procures to be undertaken between April 2002 and August 2003. This treatment offers patient who meet the criteria choice and shows a high degree of patient satisfaction.
Palliative Care
The increased provision of palliative care in nursing homes in Tayside has resulted in reduced admission to the acute service - activity over 4 months amounted to a saving of 180 bed days to the acute service.
Investing in Staff and Technology
Equipment to automate the analysis of laboratory results has improved access to results in Dumfries and Galloway by reducing the time taken to complete charts to 1 hour from 5 hours with the previous manual system.
An additional breast surgeon has enabled Lothian to meet the national breast cancer waiting time target with 87% of patients treated within 1 month of diagnosis.