Key message:

Data collection goes live in April 2012!

National collection and analysis of cancer chemotherapy

The NHS Information Standards Board has now granted Full Stage approval to the Systemic Anti-Cancer Therapy (SACT) Information Standard (ISB 1533) and an Information Standard Notice has been circulated to the NHS in England.

Phased data collection commences on 1st April 2012 for NHS trusts with full e-prescribing systems with the expectation that all Trusts will provide full returns by April 2014. Monthly returns will be mandatory for NHS trusts and voluntary for Foundation Trusts.

A Chemotherapy Intelligence Unit (CIU) has been established, hosted by the Oxford Cancer Intelligence Unit, which will receive the returns, hold the data repository and provide analysis and reporting functions. Until April 2012, the CIU will be liaising with a number of trusts and software suppliers to refine the process of data transfer and develop the database to ensure that the process will be fully operational by 1st April 2012. During 2011-12 the CIU will establish a helpdesk function that will provide support to trusts. A SACT website is now operational www.chemodataset.nhs.uk where all the relevant documentation, data submission guidance, schedules for submission and FAQs can be found. The website will also provide access to the upload portal for the SACT data submissions.

As soon as sufficient data have been quality assured and analysed, initial reports will be issued to contributing providers, leading to a data collection and reporting process for all trusts from September 2012 onwards.

Current timetable

  • Information Standards Notice (ISN) circulated to NHS September 2011.
  • October 2011 to March 2012 - Trusts need to review their capabilities in relation to the ISN and develop individual action plans.
  • 1st April 2012 – Start of mandatory collection from trusts with e-prescribing systems. September 2012 - trusts without e-prescribing systems commence partial downloads.
  • By April 2014, all trusts submitting full data.

A series of road shows is being held, visiting all the English Cancer Networks by April 2012. These cover the introduction of the Information Standard and the dataset, the new National Regimen List and updates on new developments around PbR and commissioning for chemotherapy. The roadshows provide an opportunity for colleagues at trust and network level and in commissioning to familiarise themselves with the details of these developments and how they relate to their services.

Implementation Timetable

NHS Trusts with fully implemented e-prescribing systems: These trusts will be required to submit data in all clinical areas by April 2012. That includes all inpatient, outpatient and community services for all solid tumours, haematological and paediatric malignancy.

NHS Trusts with partially implemented e-prescribing systems i.e. not all hospital sites or not all tumour types. These trusts will be required to submit data in all clinical areas that have e-prescribing implemented by April 2012. They will be expected to develop full coverage of all tumour sites and services by September 2012.

Electronic clinical systems but no e-prescribing: Systems capable of capturing some information on chemotherapy. These trusts will be required to submit partial data from September 2012. They will be expected to develop the functionality to submit full downloads by April 2014.

Basic hospital systems only: Systems capable of recording demographics, cancer waiting times and commissioning data. These trusts will be required to submit partial data from September 2012. They will be expected to develop the functionality to submit full downloads by April 2014.

The SACT dataset is divided into six sections:

  1. Demographics – including commissioner and provider initiating treatment
  2. Clinical status
  3. Programme and regimen
  4. Cycle
  5. Drug details
  6. Outcome

National collection and analysis of cancer chemotherapy - picture

FIND OUT MORE:

For further information contact: CIU at sph dot nhs.uk link CIU@sph.nhs.uk or sue.forsey at ngh dot nhs.uk link Sue Forsey

The National Cancer Intelligence Network (NCIN) is a UK-wide partnership operated by Public Health England. The NCIN coordinates and develops analysis and intelligence to drive improvements in prevention, standards of cancer care and clinical outcomes for cancer patients.