NEWS ANALYSIS
Northern Ireland publishes ‘ recovery plan ’ for cancer services
On 28 June , Health Minister Robin Swann MLA published a threeyear blueprint for rebuilding cancer care in Northern Ireland .
Developed in line with the emerging high level aims of the 10- year Cancer Strategy – currently being finalised by the Department of Health – the Cancer Recovery Plan 2021 – 22 to 2023 – 24 will guide investment in cancer services over the first three years of the strategy .
It sets out a series of short and medium-term initiatives to enhance services badly affected by the COVID-19 pandemic , including ensuring that all patients living with cancer feel supported across their pathway and have access to a clinical nurse specialist , appropriate psychological support , information , and signposting to other services .
Other objectives include increasing screening capacity to address the backlogs created as a consequence of the impact of COVID-19 on screening and diagnostic and treatment services , and addressing the pandemic ’ s impact on cancer referrals , through the delivery of a formal public awareness campaign encouraging people to consult their GP with signs and symptoms of cancer .
It will also see the country adopting a regional approach , where appropriate , to ensure patients receive equitable access to diagnostics , care , treatment and support , and the creation of smoother and more efficient patient pathways , from initial referral , through diagnosis and treatment , encompassing the appropriate care and support during and after treatment , with the aim of improving cancer waiting times and patient outcomes and patient experience .
The recovery plan includes some specific recommendations on prehabiliation , rehabilitation and palliative care , and it states : ‘ We will identify , develop and implement evidence-based cancer prehabilitation and rehabilitation services ; these will have a focus on the less survivable cancers and the services must be embedded across trusts with key performance indicators to track improved patient outcomes ’.
It also aims to ‘ ensure that all people who would benefit from palliative care services are identified and offered equitable access to responsive multidisciplinary palliative care services , delivered by staff with the required expertise , when and where required ’.
Nicola Evans , occupational therapist , lead clinical specialist in Belfast City Hospital Cancer Centre and RCOT representative
on the All Party Group on Cancer says : ‘ It is important that , as occupational therapists , we recognise that this recovery plan is not just relevant to those working in the specialist area of cancer .
‘ Those affected with cancer present in all settings . As we move into our recovery phase , we are seeing the significant impact COVID-19 has had on those diagnosed with cancer , along with their families . We are seeing people presenting much later and unfortunately this means many are also presenting with more advanced disease .
‘ Our specialist palliative care AHP services have and continue to be an excellent resource ; however , the workforce review , as carried out in 2019 , clearly demonstrates the need for investment in this area .
‘ The reality is that the vast majority of patients with palliative care needs are on the caseloads of occupational therapists working across all settings . The proposals to seek early identification of people with palliative care needs presenting within emergency departments is welcomed , but I would encourage occupational therapists to ensure that the valuable contribution we can provide within this setting is recognised .’
She adds : ‘ This plan as stated for prehabilitation will challenge our profession in its move to identify , develop and implement evidence-based cancer prehabilitation services . As recognised , this has been an unfunded service to date .
‘ Going forward , we need to be clear on the role we offer at this very early stage of the cancer pathway . Within the Belfast Trust we have been able to clearly demonstrate the values of having an occupational therapist at the point of diagnosis with lung cancer patients . This work received recognition and an award at the British Thoracic Oncology Group annual conference 2021 .
‘ While our services will be rising to the challenges of existing and increased demands , we will also need to endeavour to be involved in and demonstrate the valuable contribution we can provide in order to be embedded in future models of prehabilitation .’
The plan will need an additional £ 108 million investment , and this funding requirement will likely overlap with the Elective Care Framework ( see OTnews , July 2021 , page 9 ).
Read the Cancer Recovery Plan 2021 – 22 to 2023 – 24 at : www . health-ni . gov . uk / publications / cancer-recovery-plan-202122-2324 .
We want to hear your views on RCOT ’ s future strategic themes
Having spent his first few months as RCOT chief executive listening to members , Steve Ford has heard about the challenges members face and that there is a real sense now is the time for occupational therapy , with many of the issues and challenges facing society providing great opportunities for the profession .
As a community we are not clear about our purpose and we need greater clarity to improve communications , engagement and alignment of programmes and activities . We have developed a set of possible strategic themes to provide a future direction , enabling us to come together as an organisation and a professional community , focus on the priorities that matter and make the most of future opportunities .
The strategic themes were first shared at Annual Conference in June and initial feedback was that they were broadly right . In late August and September we will be inviting all members to provide feedback on them , either through an online survey or by joining a virtual discussion group . Look out on our website and on social media for details on how you can get involved .
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