National Cancer Action Team

NCAT and cancer networks are engaging with emerging commissioning bodies to promote early diagnosis of cancer.

Public health and early diagnosis of cancer in the new NHS

The Outcomes Framework for Public Health was published on 24/1/12. The indicators include proportion of cancers diagnosed at stage 1 and 2, mortality from cancer in the under 75s, access to and screening coverage. (The staging indicator may be ‘refined’ as the data to measure it are not yet available). The overarching aims of the framework are to achieve positive health outcomes and reduce inequalities. The documents are here

Cancer networks have prepared a briefing about the practical steps networks can take to support clinical commissioning groups (CCGs) and the NHS Commissioning Board in reducing inequalities in cancer care and treatment. This briefing comes ahead of the National Cancer Equality Initiative’s own report on commissioning to reduce inequalities, which is expected shortly.

Key highlights of NAEDI, a presentation to the NAEDI Forum on 26/1/12, sets out policy and priorities for early diagnosis in 2012/13.

Developing key messages on cancer for commissioners, a presentation by Professor Sir Mike Richards is here

Health and well being boards and JSNAs

NCAT is supporting a small project looking at how cancer networks can influence health and well being boards and support the development of joint strategic needs assessments and health and well being strategies. For more information contact Kathy Elliott Kathy Elliott Kathy.Elliott@ncat.nhs.uk

For interviews with three public health leads click on the articles below

• Health and well being boards a good forum for early diagnosis – North Trent article
• Merseyside and Cheshire works with CCGs to influence health and well being boards article
• Health and well being boards open doors to cancer awareness for council workforce – Greater Manchester and Cheshire article

Draft guidance on preparing joint strategic needs assessments has now been published. The All Party Parliamentary Group published a report on cancer commissioning in autumn 2011. 

Sharing resources for public health and commissioning

Public health leads in cancer networks and PCTs, and others, have generously agreed to share materials they have produced to help make the case for NAEDI, influence commissioners and design projects. Click here to see these resources 

Public awareness campaigns

Public health leads are playing an important role in public awareness campaigns. For more information about the national, regional and local campaigns click here

Information, strategy and governance

Public health is central to cancer networks promotion of awareness and early diagnosis The initial work carried out by networks in adopting early diagnosis including information, strategy, governance and commissioning is available here.