Western Trust cancer general manager Liz England
THE Western Health Trust – which takes in Fermanagh – is best performing in the North when it comes to cancer treatment waiting times.
During the months of July, August and September 2013 the Western Trust have consistently outperformed their counterparts with all patients in August and September seen within 31 days following a decision to treat.
In July 95.2% of patients receiving a first definitive treatment following an urgent GP referral were treated within 62 days, four percent higher than their closest Trust (Southern) and over 10% higher than the average for Northern Ireland (84.7%).
The figures were again above well above average for the months of August (88.2%) and September (91.8%) with only the Southern Trust having higher figures.
Looking directly at the breast cancer figures a total of 471 women were seen by a specialist during the same three month period and all within 14 days following urgent referral.
Yet again these figures were ahed their rivals, with the Northern Ireland average for September only 85.1%.
Western Trust cancer general manager Liz England expressed her satisfaction at the figures.
“It is great to see the improvement in the cancer waiting times. This has been achieved by the integrated working practices of the multi-disciplinary teams across the whole of the Western Trust.”
She continued:
“A patient’s cancer pathway starts with the GP referral into the hospital, then the focus of attention and robust processes begins with the hospital teams leading that patient through their diagnostic investigations which will confirm or exclude the diagnosis of cancer. “These patients are prioritised as suspect cancer red flag referrals, this alerts all professionals involved to ensure investigations and appointments are scheduled within the agreed timeframes.”
“The role of the South West Acute Hospital team is to ensure that those patients referred as suspect cancer (coded as red flag referrals), are handled efficiently and move through the diagnostic pathway along the agreed timelines.”
She credits the figures as a direct result of hard work and dedication of staff.
“It is the working practices of the multi-disciplinary teams which ensure patients are seen on time, by the appropriate clinician and receive their treatment within the standards set.
“A good working environment is a bonus but it is the staff and their dedicated approach to the patient’s care that ensures we deliver a quality service.”
Now it is about maintaining the high standards set in 2013 as she added: “Maintaining the standards is challenging, the close attention to the detailed pathway by the Multi-Disciplinary Teams across the Trust is reassuring, but we are realistic, the service in general is under high levels of pressure, whilst the Western Trust deals with cancer patients as a priority our overall capacity and demand for care and treatments is challenging.
“We will continue to strive to improve the standards and will continue to give the cancer patients pathway the attention and action it needs.”
To read more.. Subscribe to current edition
Receive quality journalism wherever you are, on any device. Keep up to date from the comfort of your own home with a digital subscription.
Any time | Any place | Anywhere