Cancer Commissioning: Making the reforms work for patients

Gail Beer and Matt James

2020health has undertaken a review of the commissioning of cancer care with particular reference to the rarer cancers. This report, examines the role that cancer networks play in this new landscape, identifies important strengths and weaknesses in the new commissioning arrangements and offers recommendations for future consideration.

The UK still has one of the worst cancer survival rates in the OECD. Despite spending £5.8bn on cancer care in 2010, the NHS offers poor cancer survival rates compared to Europe, Canada, Australia and many Scandinavian countries.

Impact:

• Publication was picked up by the major cancer charities and promoted to new commissioners.
• John Baron MP, Chair of the All Party Parliamentary Group on Cancer, said: “I welcome this report with its patient centred approach and emphasis on accountability. Cancer Networks have a wealth of expertise that GP run Clinical Commissioning groups need to draw on in order for survival rates to improve.”