Introducing the programme
Urgent Cancer Care (UCC) is a crucial component of the cancer journey, with many cancer patients frequently visiting emergency departments (ED). In the UK, 19% of all new cancer diagnoses each year present as emergencies.
However, there are significant gaps in UCC provision across the region, leading to many avoidable ED attendances and admissions. This situation results in poor experiences and outcomes for both patients and healthcare professionals.
Previous work in Cheshire and Merseyside has identified several key issues within the UCC system:
- The North Mersey report (2019) concluded that there is a lack of alternatives to ED
- Acute Oncology services (AOS), which are at the forefront of UCC, were found to have significant limitations in their structure, pathways, and workforce, as described in the CMCA Acute Oncology (AO) Diagnostic report (2020)
- A review of Cheshire and Merseyside Cancer Alliance (CMCA) Malignancy of Unknown Origin (MUO) services (2020) highlighted a lack of standards, governance, and processes for this group of suspected cancer patients, with the majority being diagnosed following an ED Presentation.
These findings have shaped the foundation of the UCC projects currently led by CMCA. The strategy has been guided by patient and carer feedback, including patient stories across all project themes.
The Urgent Cancer Care Programme Board (UCCPB) is a unique partnership that brings together the Cancer Alliance, Regional Cancer Centres, Regional Care Providers and the Urgent and Emergency Care (UEC) Network within the Cheshire and Merseyside Integrated Care System (ICS).
The UCCPB recognises the opportunity of aligning cancer strategy with the transformation of UEC as a mechanism to deliver system partnership to the benefit of cancer patients.
This Urgent Cancer Care Strategy 2024-2028 describes the CMCA four-year strategy for UCC in Cheshire and Merseyside. The strategy has been developed by the CMCA to facilitate broad stakeholder engagement with all partners across the region.
It describes the ambition for a more seamless UCC pathway, which will reduce avoidable emergency department (ED) attendance, improve patient experience of UCC and recognise the key role of partnership working across all health care professionals in supporting safe, effective and high-quality urgent care for cancer patients.
The strategy will underpin the UCC Programme’s annual work plans and objectives for the next four years.
The strategy focuses on reducing emergency department admissions and improving patient outcomes. It aligns with national and regional priorities and has been approved by the UCCPB.
The vision is to ensure that all cancer patients in Cheshire and Merseyside with urgent care needs receive timely, effective, and equitable treatment. The mission is to ensure seamless integration between oncology and urgent care teams to improve outcomes through education, advanced protocols and continuous innovation.
The objectives are to increase cancer referrals to same-day emergency care, reduce emergency department attendance and avoid admissions with short lengths of stay. The strategy also aims to introduce service standards, regional performance metrics, workforce education and to agree a governance structure across organisations.
Key Projects are:
- Acute Oncology Transformation Project: Ensuring a skilled and sustainable AO workforce with a robust service specification and visible data to drive enhancements in care.
- Metastatic Spinal Cord Compression (MSCC) Transformation Project: Improving coordination and decision-making for patients with spinal metastases.
- Hotline Transformation Project: Streamlining patient referrals and integrating specialist cancer services.
- Emergency Pathway for Suspected Cancers (MUO/Brain): Providing alternatives to emergency department visits, improving care and patient experience.
- Same Day Emergency Care (SDEC): Providing alternatives to emergency department visits, reducing avoidable ED presentations and admissions.
By 2028, we aim to:
- Increase cancer referrals into same-day emergency care and community care services.
- Reduce emergency department attendance.
- Avoid admissions with short lengths of stay and ensure timely discharges.
- Introduce service standards, regional performance metrics, and workforce education for UCC.
- Implement a robust governance structure to ensure sustainable change.
You can read the document here: Final UCC Strategy PDF
