Medical Oncology Wait Times Reduction Work Group
Goals
The Medical Oncology Wait Times Reduction Work Group aims to reduce wait times for patients who require Medical Oncology Treatment.
Background
In response to the Ministry of Health’s “Request for Proposals – Implementation of Medical Oncology Prioritisation Criteria” (appendix 1) the Southern Cancer Network (SCN) submitted the proposal “SCN South Island Medical Oncology Wait Times RFP Response” (appendix 2) which was successfully supported by Ministry.
The proposal presents a multifaceted approach with three integrated work streams:
1. Collecting of and reporting on Medical Oncology Wait Times
2. Integrated referral system
3. Development and implementation of Medical Oncology Protocols and guidelines for the South Island (including e-prescribing of chemotherapy)
The three work streams focus on three of the four services required by the Ministry of Health:
(1) “developing and updating reporting systems to collect and report waiting times for medical oncology services as recommended in the Medical Oncology Prioritisation Criteria”
(2) “supporting initiatives that allow better patient management and also increase flexibility in managing referrals, scheduling appointments and co-ordinating workflows”
(3) “streamlining of workflow and processes from the First Specialist Assessment (FSA) to start of treatment to ensure patients start treatment within four weeks”.
One of the key objectives of the SCN proposal is to assist South Island DHBs to report against and meet the medical oncology prioritisation waiting times as described in the request for proposal.
Purpose
The purpose of this advisory group is to support and assist with establishing processes that enable the recording and reporting of Medical Oncology Wait Times in a manner that is effective, timely, sustainable, and consistent across the South Island.
Process
The advisory group to meets for one hour monthly throughout the duration of the project. The majority of these meetings will be through video or phone conferencing. The first meeting is to take place face-to-face in Christchurch.
The meetings will be coordinated by the SCN project manager Dr. Ursula Jewell.
Between advisory group meetings collection of medical oncology protocols, review medical oncology protocols and suggestion of a core set, as well as ratification the core set of protocols and other work pieces will be required.
Membership
The clinical lead for this advisory group is provided by Drs. Mark Jeffery (Canterbury DHB) and Blair McLaren (Southern DHB), and hospital service manager Lisa Brennan (Canterbury DHB).
Canterbury DHB:
Dr. Mark Jeffery
Dr. David Gibbs
Lisa Brennan
Southern DHB:
Dr. Blair McLaren
Dr. Chris Jackson
Dr. Andrew Bowers
Nelson Marlborough DHB:
Dr. Steve Delaney
West Coast DHB:
Mary Marr
South Canterbury DHB:
Desma Dawber
