Modernising Cancer ServicesSome Thoughts from Western Europe

Jean MossmanFebruary 2013

Key issues

• Make cancer a priority for policy makers• Develop and implement a national cancer

strategy– National protocols– Audit outcomes

• Get healthcare professionals to work together• Strengthen the patient voice• Cost containment

Make cancer a priority for policy makers

• Develop an evidence base to demonstrate how outcomes compare to those in other countries

• Use personal stories to illustrate the data• Demonstrate what could be achieved if cancer

services are improved– Solutions, not just problems

Develop and implement a national cancer strategy

• Work with clinical experts, epidemiologists and health economists to develop a framework

• Consult wisely to gain ‘buy-in’ from oncology thought leaders

• Publish the strategy so everyone knows what they have to achieve

• Audit against strategy at regular (but not necessarily frequent) intervals

Get healthcare professionals to work together

• Without agreement on how to manage patients, difficult to demand change

• Patient groups can have a role in bringing healthcare professionals together

• Work with professional associations• Need to have support for specialisation

Strengthen the patient voice

• Become professional in your organisations– Get organised

• Work together• Learn from the experience in other countries• Use the media• Work with healthcare professionals– Let them see what value you bring

• Don’t rely on emotion

Cost containment

• As more treatments become available, cost of cancer care will increase

• Cost-containment measures such as HTA will be implemented

• Be prepared:– Collect patient evidence about the illness and how

patients value the treatments– Learn about these processes so you can contribute

Conclusion

• You can make change happen• It takes time and persistence• Let others help