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CANCER IN SCOTLAND: ACTION FOR CHANGE
07. INVESTING IN OUR STAFF AND IN TECHNOLOGY
"Our National Health confirmed that we want patients to have much greater flexibility in how they access the care they need by making best use of the skills of the whole team."
What has been invested Scotland wide in staff and technology |
2001-02 | 2002-03 |
2.7 million | 1.5 million |
Of this investment 0.9 million is for extra staff including at least 4 consultants, 12 clinical nurse specialists, 4 radiographers, 2 pharmacists and 12 other support staff such as a project co-ordinators and administrative staff. 3 million on vital equipment such as MRI, CT scanners, endoscopy, ultrasound, mammography and pharmacy equipment. Some of the investments are targeted at staff training and development, for example: Communication training for professionals working with cancer patients in Western Isles. Cancer education for healthcare professionals in the Borders to improve levels of education and support provided to clinicians/staff leading to improved quality of patient care.
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Nursing Care
The Cancer Nursing Development Co-ordinator started work in January 2002.
Ongoing work includes the development of a generic job description with a competency framework for Clinical Nurse Specialists (CNSs) in cancer and/or palliative care; mapping CNSs to help with workforce planning and education; a series of conferences for nurses leading to the development of a cancer nursing framework and the development of "best practice statements" related to cancer and/or palliative nursing care.
Allied Health Professions (AHPs)
The first national action plan for Allied Health Professionals (physiotherapists, radiographers and others),
Building on Success: Future Directions of the Allied Health Professions in Scotland, was launched in June 2002. It will support and encourage the 9000 AHPs working in NHSScotland to play a greater role in improving health and health services.
The Scottish Executive, the profession and education establishments are working together in an attempt to address the difficulties with the recruitment, retention, skill mix, education and training of therapeutic radiographers across Scotland.
Co-ordinating Patient Care
Modern cancer care involves complex diagnostic and treatment processes which often happen in different hospitals and hospital departments. This can be confusing for patients and a source of delays. Co-ordination of the care pathway may bring added benefit for patients and clinicians and help with shortening individual journeys of care. At present this approach is in its very early stages but some of the cancer networks have used the cancer investment for posts that support either part or all of the patient journey.
Examples of co-ordinating patient care |
A Patient Care Co-ordinator based within the LHCC in the Western Isles to promote the integration of the patient's journey. In the Borders a Diagnostic Co-ordinator to improve the diagnostic pathway for patients with colorectal cancer.
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Telemedicine
In the West of Scotland Gynaecological Cancer Network the implementation of videoconferencing with limited broadcasting of clinical images is now largely complete and four-way gynaecological cancer MCN meetings are now routine.
Examples of cancer investments Scotland-wide |
In Lanarkshire, development of a telemedicine link to improve access to specialist advice for haematological cancers. Videoconferencing in Tayside to improve communications and information sharing with remote and rural areas.
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Online Information
In April 2002 the
Cancer in Scotland website went "live" giving members of the public and health care professionals access to information about the Scottish Cancer Group and progress with the implementation of
Cancer in Scotland: Action for Change.
www.show.scot.nhs.uk/sehd/cancerinscotland. To strengthen this accountable and transparent approach to planning and investment readers are invited to visit the
Cancer in Scotland website and to provide feedback.
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