The Royal College of Radiologists and the Society of Radiographers warn that current structures stifle innovation and cause unequal access to cancer treatments
In a briefing note, the Royal College of Radiologists (RCR) and the Society of Radiographers (SoR) have warned that current commissioning and funding structures are stifling innovation and causing unequal access to cancer treatments.
They say that problem with the current funding model is that Trusts are not incentivised to offer innovative cancer treatment. Cutting unnecessary red tape will give patients faster and fairer access to the best cancer treatments closer to home, they say.
“Our NHS pioneers and delivers some of the most cutting-edge cancer treatments in the world. However, red tape is preventing equal access to innovative types of radiotherapy and new drugs that can transform lives,” said Nicky Thorp, vice-president for clinical oncology at the RCR.
“The upcoming Cancer Plan presents a fantastic opportunity to commit to reconsider how these are commissioned and funded. This would shift the dial by encouraging trusts to embrace innovation and helping more patients benefit from the latest treatments,” he continued.
Timely access
The RCR and SoR propose that the Cancer Plan should include a commitment to reconsider how innovative cancer treatments are commissioned and funded. Any new approach should consider the elimination of treatment funding tariffs. This, the briefing note says, would eliminate “perverse financial incentives” and promote the use of “cost-effective, patient-focused innovative treatments”.
Funding should also include both workforce costs and the full cost of treatments of those like stereotactic ablative body radiotherapy (SABR), a method of accurately targeting radiotherapy to a tumour from many different directions. At the same time, an incentive payment would help trusts to facilitate new treatments that require additional expertise or training.
Finally, services should be designed to enable patients to access them no matter where they live, and medical royal colleges and other professional bodies should work with regulators to produce consensus and guidance.
“Our shared goal is to ensure every patient has timely access to the best cancer care. The Cancer Plan is a vital opportunity to ensure radiotherapy is properly supported, professionals are empowered, and patients can benefit wherever they live,” said Charlotte Beardmore, executive director of professional policy at the SoR.
