Agenda item

In attendance for this item: Serena Gilbert, Interim Managing Director, Kent and Medway Cancer Alliance

1. The Chair welcomed the guest and, with the report taken as read, Ms Gilbert welcomed any questions from the Committee.  
2. A Member asked if more granular data could be provided than that which was found in the report. Ms Gilbert said it was possible to present the data at Trust and Tumour site level which would provide insights on specific cancers. But it was noted that national standards applied to all cancer types no matter the rate of growth. The Member followed up and asked if there were any cancer types that experienced under or late detection and required additional focus. Ms Gilbert said that lung cancer was an area of focus as the longer waits were associated with worse outcomes, even when meeting the national standard. In Kent and Medway, the Lung Health Check Programme had been launched, which invited those at risk to attend a one-off screening to help with early diagnosis. 
3. A Member asked how long those who fell outside the target wait time were expected to wait. Ms Gilbert said there was no additional target wait time, but that efforts would be focussed on making accessible appointments for them. It was noted many of those not seen within the target wait time were because they were unable to make any of the times offered. The number of referrals had greatly increased post-pandemic, but despite the increased pressure on the service, there were efforts being made to see all patients within a reasonable time. 
4. Asked by a Member what preventative work was underway, Ms Gilbert said there were proactive screening programmes, outreach campaigns to raise awareness as well as plans being considered by the Integrated Care Board (ICB) on diet, health and exercise. The Chair asked if prevention advice could be circulated to Council Members after the meeting so that it could be shares with local communities. 
5. A Member asked about the underperformance against the target of ‘maximum 31 days for subsequent treatment where the treatment is radiotherapy’. Ms Gilbert said this was an ongoing area of concern. An external company had audited all oncology (and immunotherapy) services and the ICB were in the process of reviewing the recommendations. Capacity was noted as a key reason, with a recruitment drive for staff to provide radiotherapy ongoing. The Cancer Alliance had also funded administrative roles to assist with non-clinical work. Ms Gilbert noted that whilst there was no deadline in place to achieve the expected targets, she would share the timeline after the meeting. 
6. It was said that work was ongoing between the Cancer Alliance and GP surgeries to address the backlog in cases since the pandemic and ensure the most urgent cases were identified and addressed. More data was being provided to GPs to see how they were performing against national averages. 
7. Members questioned the apparent lack of flexibility in patient communication, with post being the most common method of receiving information from the NHS. Ms Gilbert noted progress had been made in providing more information over the telephone, but accepted more work was needed. There remained challenges, such as ensuring the security of information and other information governance requirements. She offered to take the point away for further consideration. The Chair requested Dr Jacobs (Local Medical Committee) do the same on behalf of GPs. 
8. Responding to a question about the cancer backlog position and any impact of the strikes, Ms Gilbert explained that despite strike action the best possible level of cover was being provided and that cancer services had been largely protected. Significant work was still required to clear the backlog from the pandemic, and Ms Gilbert offered to report back with updates.  

RESOLVED to note the report.