LJMC set to lead on Beacon project
Over the past 18 months, the LJMC has been part of the pilot project to implement the new National Cancer Patient Information Delivery System (NCPIDS). With this exciting new system about to launch nationwide, the LJMC will take the lead as a national Beacon to support healthcare professionals as they implement and use the system in their own working environments.
The NCPIDS was developed in response to concerns that the provision of good quality information to cancer patients was not consistent across the country.
In 2004 the National Audit Office found that nearly 40% of cancer patients did not receive written cancer information. This finding inspired investment in a co-ordinated approach to cancer patient information in England.
Pulling together the best nationally available information, the NCPIDS is an online system that makes it easier for health and social care professionals to provide personalised information.
Information pathways have been developed for each cancer tumour site and NCPIDS follows a step-by-step process through which a patient’s information needs are identified at each stage of their treatment.
The appropriate information is collated and can be printed out at the time, or provided to the patient in an electronic format which can be emailed to them.
The LJMC is no stranger to Beacon status having being granted this prestigious award in 1999 for its pioneering work in supporting people affected by cancer. The centre has also won many awards for the quality of its patient information publications so is well placed to take on such a leading role in launching the NCPIDS.
The Beacon Assessment Panel was extremely impressed by the high level of enthusiasm, passion and commitment evident in the application that was submitted earlier this year.
Elaine Wilson, Implementation Manager for the project, said, “It was an excellent application which blew the panel away.”
At Mount Vernon Cancer Centre, the LJMC Information team will be training staff how to use the system. This includes staff working in the clinics and also in the LJMC Drop-in centre where they expect to be particularly busy with the system.
In addition, the team will be setting up a mobile information unit with an internet-enabled laptop that will be situated in the Cancer Centre itself. Patients can stop by to request information which can be printed out straight away.
Beyond this site, the Information team will be sharing its experiences with the wider health community including GPs and community nurses. They will be demonstrating the system and encouraging users to implement the system in practical ways in their own clinics and workplaces.
The initial project will last for six months. “It’s going to be quite an intense period for the team”, explained Macmillan Patient Information Lead, Theresa Sullivan.
“We’re really proud to have been selected as a Beacon site and everyone’s commitment to improving the cancer patients’ journey will help sustain the project.”
Last updated: 22 March, 2011
