A proposal to concentrate lung cancer oncology outpatient services at Monklands Hospital was approved by NHS Lanarkshire Board at its meeting on 25 August 2010.
The proposal, which was supported by a wide range of stakeholders, will result in improved quality of service and clinical outcomes for patients by ensuring a consultant and fill multidisciplinary team are available for patients 52 weeks of the year.
Mr Hakim BenYounes, consultant surgeon and clinical lead for cancer services, said: “We welcome the Board’s decision. NHS Lanarkshire is working to improve and modernise its cancer services to ensure our patients continue to have access to the highest quality of care throughout the county.
“This service reconfiguration will help us provide the best possible level of healthcare for patients.”
The driver for this service change is the West of Scotland Regional Cancer Advisory Group (WoSRCAG) paper to the Cabinet Secretary for Health and Wellbeing. The paper outlined future plans for providing sustainable services for patients with cancers in the West of Scotland and recommends that NHS Lanarkshire’s lung oncology outpatient services should reduce from a three-site service.
At present, lung cancer oncology outpatient clinics are delivered from Hairmyres, Monklands and Wishaw hospitals, however there is no year round cover. The consultants, provided by The Beatson West of Scotland Cancer Centre, are not available to attend clinics across the three sites if they are on annual leave, study leave or sick leave and there is no cover at consultant level.
The new proposal will guaranteed consultant cover 52 weeks of the year. This will result in a more efficient and effective service which will enhance the ability to meet the needs of lung cancer patients.
Mr Hakim BenYounes added: “This redesign will allow implementation of the Specialist Oncology Services strategy, led by The Beatson West of Scotland Cancer Centre, as agreed in 2002.
“Each year in Lanarkshire around 320 patients are diagnosed with lung cancer. The vast majority of these patients require the specialist opinion and services of a Consultant Oncologist from the Beatson West of Scotland Cancer Centre.
“The purpose of the outpatient clinics is to take decisions, involving the multiple disciplinary team and the patient, on the most effective treatment plans for individual patients. Following on from this a range of options will be discussed with the patient. The most common treatments are radiotherapy and chemotherapy.