Cancer Care Reviews

GPs are the first point of contact for people who are concerned about signs and symptoms that may be cancer. As more people live with and beyond a cancer diagnosis, they will be turning to their GP for support and advice. Cancer Care Reviews are designed to help in that process.

A Cancer Care Review is informed by the End of Treatment Summary and completed by a GP or practice nurse in order to discuss the person’s needs.

It is carried out within six months of a cancer diagnosis and covers post-treatment support; financial impact of cancer; patient awareness of prescription exemptions; possible late effects of cancer, cancer treatment and information needs to enable the patient to self-manage.

As part of the review process, a case for change document is being prepared to identify the next steps for Cancer Care Reviews. A number of proposals are being explored to support GP practices.

These include:

• Building relationships with Primary Care Networks (PCN) across the Alliance.
• Developing the role of Social Prescribers to support and deliver  in a primary care setting.
• Identify a clinical lead  from Primary Care to support Optimal Pathway Groups

Case Study: Leeds Community Cancer Support Service

A new service has been launched in identified areas of Leeds to improve the quality of life for patients and carers living with and beyond a cancer diagnosis.

The Community Cancer Support Service, funded by Macmillan Cancer Support and Leeds NHS Clinical Commissioning Group, and delivered by Leeds Community Healthcare NHS Trust, improves cancer patient’s access to local support services and will help cancer patients to lead as full and active life as possible. In addition to offering Cancer Care Reviews within six months of a diagnosis, the service uses a holistic approach to supportive self-management through emphasising patients’ concerns and using the “what matters to me” approach to personalised patient care.

Provided by Leeds Community Healthcare NHS Trust, the service will focus initially on patients with GP practices in Otley, Yeadon and Harehills/Richmond Hill/ Burmantofts Primary Care Networks (PCNs) before expanding to additional areas of Wetherby, Middleton and Beeston/Hunslet PCNs later in the year.

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