A new study from coalition of leading cancer charities

New study from coalition of leading cancer charities supports the critical role of cancer networks in improving patients' care

Brain Tumour Research is a member of the Cancer Campaigning Group (CCG) which has just issued a new report Developing excellence in cancer networks. The report calls for the NHS Commissioning Board to establish cancer networks as Strategic Clinical Networks and recommends a series of quality markers for what cancer networks can achieve when they’re working at their very best.

This latest piece of research uncovers insights from senior network staff about how networks can help to improve patient experience and outcomes, as well as support commissioners and providers to deliver high-quality cancer services. The CCG hopes that this will be a useful contribution to the ongoing Department of Health work considering the role and responsibilities of clinical networks in the future.

Commenting on the report, Sue Farrington Smith, Director of Brain Tumour Research said: “We welcome this report, it is very insightful and will help to inform the development of proposals for the role of the clinical networks in the modernised NHS. The report also points out that cancer embraces over 200 types of cancer with most having highly complex care pathways which must be considered.”

Cancer Campaigning Group Steering Group member, Lucy Grove said:

“Cancer networks have the potential to significantly improve integration of services across the whole health system, improving cancer patient experience and outcomes.

“A commitment to retain cancer networks as Strategic Clinical Networks is now essential. Clear roles and responsibilities need to be set out to ensure cancer networks are able to deliver ‘gold-standard’ commissioning support across the entire country.”

The full report is available at on the CCG website