Cancer Reform Strategy
The National Cancer Survivorship Initiative (NCSI) has been one of the success stories in the first year of the Cancer Reform Strategy (CRS). The CRS sets out the strategy for cancer services in England up until 2012. The NCSI, which is co-chaired by Macmillan and the Department of Health, aims to improve the quality of life for people living with or beyond cancer.
Why is there a NCSI?
Many patients receive poor support after leaving hospital or finishing treatment, despite cancer still impacting on their lives. They can experience emotional problems, side effects such as severe fatigue or memory loss, or find it hard to get back to work, pay the bills or start a family.
What actions have been taken in the first year?
One of the first things the NCSI has done following its launch in March is to start a number of pilots to see how post-treatment services can be improved. One area being looked at is how to improve post-treatment assessment and care plans.
The results of these pilots will be used to persuade local commissioners that health and social care services need to change.
What still needs to be done?
Macmillan is more worried about other aspects of the CRS. We are pleased Professor Mike Richards, National Cancer Director, has recommended speeding up local implementation in his first annual report, Maintaining momentum, building for the future, which was published at the beginning of December.
Good local implementation by the NHS will ultimately determine the success of the CRS and so far progress on the ground has been slower than we had hoped.
Despite this, Macmillan remains confident that the CRS will be implemented in full by 2012, if it remains a top priority for the Government and the NHS locally.
If you would like to know more about what Macmillan thinks about the Cancer Reform Strategy, please email: campaigns@macmillan.org.uk.