Lung Cancer Optimal Pathway Group

The group provides strategic oversight for the improvement of lung cancer outcomes and patient experience across West Yorkshire and Harrogate. By taking a whole pathway and systemwide approach the group implements and supports:

  • Urgent responses to pressures recently seen with COVID-19.
  • National cancer priorities outlined in the in NHS 5 Year Forward View and NHS Long Term Plan (screening, early diagnosis, delivery of the Rapid Diagnostic Pathways and Personalised Care interventions)
  • Development and update of the local clinical guidelines.

The group plan to meet three times a year, the schedule culminating in an educational event, where shared learning and best practice is presented to a wider networked audience.

The group has delivered the following projects to date:

  • Implementation of the National Optimal Lung Cancer Diagnostic Pathway
  • An IST analysis, identifying pressure points in the pathway. As a result of the analysis, Trusts have received funding for pathway navigators to micro-manage the front end of the pathway
  • The review of Diagnostic Bundling to identify the challenges to implementing the Diagnostic Standards of Care (DSOC) in Trusts and identify actions to move Trusts towards implementation
  • Key outcomes metrics agreed to monitor the progress of the group and improve outcomes for patients.
  • Supporting the implementation of local lung health check pilot projects in Bradford and Wakefield.

Current priority target areas for the group are:

  • To evaluate the role of the pathway navigators to understand their impact
  • To identify challenges to the implementation of the Diagnostic Standards of Care
  • To support the roll out of national lung health checks, targeted at populations with high levels of deprivation, smoking and lung cancer mortality
  • To support personalised stratified interventions for people living with and beyond cancer
  • To support Trusts to implement actions identified by Getting it Right First Time 'deep dives'.

If you require further information, please contact the Optimal Pathways team by emailing optimal.pathways@nhs.net. 

To view the calendar of meetings and events, click here