The review of gynaecological cancer services in Cheshire and Merseyside by our Transformation Unit is being used to make improvements from the point of patient presentation in primary care through to treatment.
Cheshire & Merseyside Cancer Alliance (CMCA) commissioned the Transformation Unit to undertake a review of gynaecological cancer services across the Alliance footprint. The purpose of the work was to support delivery of the NHS Long-Term Plan, including delivery of Rapid Diagnostic Services (now the Faster Diagnostic Framework) by 2024. The last full review of gynaecology cancer services in Cheshire and Merseyside was more than 20 years ago.
We used a mixed methods approach to review data, guidance, service configuration, workforce, current practice, and transformational opportunities for symptomatic cervical, ovarian, vulval and endometrial cancers (both suspected and diagnosed) from patient presentation in primary care through to diagnosis and First Definitive Treatment. We engaged 93 stakeholders in the review process.
We developed a proposed model of care, mission, vision and 40 recommendations to inform short, medium and long term aims of the service, to be delivered through a Gynaecology Cancer Programme by the CMCA across a range of themes.
To engage stakeholders with our conclusions and gain support for delivery, we presented the outputs of our work at a regional event with over 130 people attending.
Our work has been shared with wider stakeholders including Macmillan, Cancer Research UK and Ovarian Cancer UK.
Ovarian Cancer UK has been particularly supportive of our approach and presented on our work at their national transformation meeting.
Liz Bishop, Senior Responsible Officer, CMCA said: “This clear and comprehensive review of gynaecology cancer services is a decisive step forward in improving the lives of women across Cheshire and Merseyside from presentation in primary care through to treatment.”
Jon Hayes (Managing Director) and Dr Chris Warburton (Clinical Director) at CMCA said: “[The review] gives an honest, clear, unvarnished insight into the strengths and weaknesses in cancer care and treatment and presents achievable recommendations for service change. The review will start us on a journey to achieve these aims for our population, to eliminate variation across communities and to improve earlier diagnosis, care, and treatment outcomes – whilst also giving patients a voice in how the recommendations are implemented.”