Cancer networks
11.10 The Calman/ Hine Report broke new ground when it recommended networks of cancer care, reaching from primary care to cancer units, treating the more common cancers and assessing and diagnosing rarer cancers, to cancer centres, treating the rarest cancers and providing highly specialised treatment such as radiotherapy and bone marrow transplantation.
11.11 Cancer networks will be the organisational model for cancer services to implement this Cancer Plan. They will bring together health service commissioners (health authorities, primary care groups and trusts) and providers (primary and community care and hospitals), the voluntary sector, and local authorities. Each network will typically serve a population of around one to two million people.
11.12 Cancer networks will need effective management. Close involvement of the chief executives of provider NHS trusts and health authorities and PCTs will be essential as will that of lead clinicians. Through cancer networks, services can be planned across the care pathway for cancer patients with resources targeted where they are most needed to serve the cancer needs of their local population - which may not be in the local hospital. Seamless care is promoted and alliances can develop to help reduce the risk of cancer, through action on smoking and diet.
11.13 Cancer networks have already proved very effective in many areas - notably the nine networks involved in the Cancer Services Collaborative. Resources have already been made available to support the infrastructure of cancer networks. Support and organisational development facilities will be available to regions and networks. And the NHS Modernisation Agency will work with cancer networks over the next two years to roll out the Cancer Services Collaborative initiative to all cancer networks.
