Website of the Department of Health

8 September 2008

Improving outcomes in children and young people with cancer: guidance on commissioning services for young people

Letter containing the document Key messages for commissioners of cancer services for teenagers and young adults,  developed by the National Cancer Action Team (with advice and support from an expert working group) at the request of the Children and Young People Improving Outcomes Guidance (CYPIOG) Advisory Group to support the implementation of National Institute of Health and Clinical Excellence (NICE) guidance, Improving outcomes for children and young people with cancer.

• Improving outcomes in children and young people with cancer: guidance on commissioning services for young people

11 August 2008

NPSA rapid response report on using minibags to administer vinka alkaloids and revised intrathecal chemotherapy (ITC) guidance.

Letter drawing attention to two new guidance documents which have been developed to promote the safe use of vinca alkaloids.

• NPSA rapid response report on using minibags to administer vinka alkaloids and revised intrathecal chemotherapy (ITC) guidance

8 August 2008

Ensuring PbR supports delivery of effective cancer services

The PA Consulting Group were commissioned to undertake a review of  PbR tariffs and how they impact on cancer services, and how they could be best developed to support cancer services. Key findings and priorities within the report were used to inform the Cancer Reform Strategy.  A copy of their full report has been made available for information purposes. The Department is currently considering the recommendations in the report.

• Ensuring PbR supports delivery of effective cancer services

4 October 2007

 Draft Rehabilitation Measure for the Manual for Cancer Service

A draft version of Rehabilitation Measures is being issued for a three month consultation, closing 11 January 2008. 

• Draft Rehabilitation Measure for the Manual for Cancer Service

23 July 2007

• Progress on the Cancer Reform Strategy - July update

24 May 2007

UnitedHealth Europe have published a report on the development of Integrated Cancer Care Programme and the key findings that have emerged from the nine pilot sites.

• Integrated Cancer Care Programme (ICCP) Final Report

11 May 2007

Report to Ministers from National Radiotherapy Advisory Group:

• Radiotherapy: developing a world class service for England

23 April 2007

Cancer Reform Strategy working group members announced.

• Membership of Cancer Reform Strategy Advisory Board and Working Groups

27 February 2007

Advice for the NHS on how to organise services for Malignant Pleural Mesothelioma (MPM) patients to improve quality of care across the country.

• Mesothelioma framework - final

14 February 2007

Letter from National Cancer Director Mike Richards, about the progress made on the strategy for the reform of cancer services in England. The letter introduces the press notice announcing the membership of a new advisory board of experts who will provide advice and help develop the strategy.

• Progress on the cancer reform strategy

19 December 2006

Letter from Professor Mike Richards, National Cancer Director, announcing further development of the Cancer Reform Strategy: establishment of an advisory board and key areas for further examination.

• Further details on the Cancer Reform Strategy

30 November 2006

Letter from Professor Mike Richards, National Cancer Director, announcing the development of a continuing Cancer Reform Strategy.

• Dear Colleague Letter: Future development of cancer services

22 November 2006

The prostate brachytherapy framework aims to provide advice to strategic health authorities (SHAs), cancer networks, primary care trusts (PCTs) and NHS Trusts in England that are developing, providing or commissioning low dose rate prostate brachytherapy services.

• Advice on the development of low dose rate (permanent seed implant) brachytherapy services for localised prostate cancer in England

20 November 2006

A second draft version of Cancer Research Network Measures is being issued for a three month consultation.

5 October 2006

Earlier this year the Secretary of State for Health announced that she had commissioned Professor Mike Richards to produce a ‘cancer waits story’, covering the programme of action and reform which has enabled the NHS to reduce cancer waiting times. Today the report is published on the Department of Health website. The change needed to bring about this improvement in performance has been an enormous undertaking. Much has been achieved thanks to the commitment of NHS staff at all levels to diagnosing and treating cancer patients promptly. NHS Trusts have re-designed the way they deliver services to cancer patients from initial referral through the stages of diagnosis and treatment.

• Waiting times for cancer: progress, lessons learned and next steps

12 January 2006

The National Cancer Research Institute has produced a UK Clinical Guideline on the use of Herceptin for early breast cancer. This provides useful information to those considering prescribing Herceptin for this indication in advance of a decision on licensing and the publication NICE guidance.

• Herceptin for Early Breast Cancer

11 October 2005

• A framework for the development of Positron Emission Tomography (PET) services in England

30 August 2005

• Investment in cancer in 2001/02 and 2003/04

27 October 2004

• The NHS cancer plan and the new NHS: Providing a patient-centred service

Cancer Action Team Newsletters

• Cancer Action Team newsletter