NHS cancer planning system wins recognition
A web-based oncology services planning system, being rolled out across UK cancer networks, has been selected by information technology magazine CIO as one of the world's top 100 IT initiatives for 2007.
C-PORT
(Chemotherapy Planning Oncology Resource Tool) is a simulator
which enables oncology units to predict how changes to drug regimens,
levels of resources or ways of working, among other variables, might
impact on service levels and patient care. The system was set up in 2005
by the Pharmaceutical Oncology Initiative Partnership — a collaboration
of the Cancer Action Team, the NHS Cancer Services Collaborative “Improvement
Partnership” and 12 members of the Association of the British Pharmaceutical
Industry.
Two cancer networks — Central South Coast and Peninsula — have
completed the necessary baseline data entry and are now validating the
system for simulating scenarios.
Libby Hardy, senior cancer services pharmacist, Royal Devon and Exeter
Hospital, and lead pharmacist, Peninsula Cancer Network, has been working
to set up the system in her area. “For the first time,” she
told The Journal, “we will be able to quantify what therapeutic
changes will mean in terms of our pharmacy facility and workforce. It
will give us a quantitative bargaining chip to negotiate resources for
the provision of cancer therapy; it will give our trusts a chance to
make an informed choice about which therapeutic advances to invest in
and a clear picture of what resources pharmacy must have when therapies — such
as those approved by the National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence — are
mandated.”
Dr Hardy explained that the C-PORT tool can demonstrate when a service
is becoming unstable, or where there are bottle-necks, and provide a
warning when investment is required. The system could simulate adjustments
in facilities or numbers of pharmacy and nursing staff to allow trusts
to pick the most efficient solution.
She said that the accuracy of the baseline data is crucial: “To
be able to use the
C-PORT tool effectively, a considerable staff resource is required to
set up the baseline. It is our experience that the highest level of nursing
and pharmacy input is required.”
Dr Hardy added: “From a network perspective, there will be a chance
to compare practice across trusts and identify good practice and weaknesses.
It will also be possible to simulate the effect of the transfer of chemotherapy
work across the network.”
Peninsula Cancer Network expects to be ready to use C-PORT as a business-planning
tool by September 2007.
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