John Baron MP calls for inclusion of cancer indicators in the reformed NHS

MP criticises NICE recommendations

Yesterday the National Institute for Clinical Excellence (NICE) published its recommendations for which indicators should be included in the Commissioning Outcomes Frameworks (COF). The COF will be used to hold Clinical Commissioning Groups (which are replacing Primary Care Trusts) to account and will, therefore, do much to set health priorities locally.

Disappointingly, NICE only recommended one cancer indicator – under-75 cancer mortality rates. The All-Party Parliamentary Group on Cancer (APPGC), of which John is the Chairman, has been campaigning for the reformed NHS to be measured against improvements in cancer survival. Specifically, the APPGC has been calling for the Commissioning Outcomes Framework and the NHS Outcomes Framework to include one- and five-year cancer survival indicators as well as proxy indicators – the number of cancers diagnosed via A&E and the stage of cancer at initial diagnosis. These indicators are intended to focus Clinical Commissioning Groups on making improvements in early diagnosis of cancer – which is key to improving survival

John Baron, said,

“Improving early diagnosis of cancer is vital if we are to achieve the Government’s stated ambition of saving 5,000 additional lives from cancer by 2014/2015.”

“I am therefore deeply disappointed that NICE has recommended just one cancer indicator is included in the Commissioning Outcomes Framework, and urge the NHS Commissioning Board Authority to make sure the right incentives are in place to drive earlier diagnosis.”

“The APPGC will maintain pressure on the NHS and Government and will continue to push for the inclusion of one and five-year survival measures, together with complementary proxy measures, in the Commissioning Outcomes Framework.”