The Pharmaceutical Journal Vol 267 No 7178 p839-846
15 December 2001

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Health improvement body finds NHS cancer services too variable

Improvements in the care of cancer patients have been patchy, a service review by the Commission for Health Improvement and the Audit Commission has found.

In a joint report, "NHS cancer care in England and Wales", the two organisations look at how well the National Health Service has met recommendations set out in the 1995 Calman-Hine report on delivering local cancer services. The joint report is the first in a series planned to review implementation of all national service frameworks.

"Many key recommendations of the [Calman-Hine] report are not yet fully implemented in all areas . . . and there are striking variations in provision both across geographical areas and between patients with different types of cancer," it says.

The service review found that chemotherapy treatment varied with the type of cancer and the practice of individual consultants. One reason for the variations was a lack of clear guidance for the treatment of some cancers. "Many trusts do not have agreed policies for the management of many cancers and, where policies do exist, it is unclear whether they are followed because practice is not audited." Multidisciplinary teams, a key recommendation of the Calman-Hine report, are increasingly common. However, some teams do not meet frequently and do not involve all relevant staff, the joint report says.

"NHS Cancer Care in England and Wales" is available from CHI (www.chi.nhs.uk) or the Audit Commission (www.audit-commission.gov.uk). The Stationery Office can supply printed versions, price £12 (tel 0870 600 5522).

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