ESTABLISHING THE UROLOGY AREA NETWORK FOR PROSTATE CANCER CARE

Area(s) of focus: Making services more effective and efficient through collaboration and integration, Develop, grow and invest in our workforce, culture and clinical and professional leadership

Why Change was Needed

The Cancer Transformation Team identified a need for a cohesive network approach to enhance prostate cancer care. Previous isolated efforts between 2021 and 2022 showed progress but lacked the coordination needed for systemic improvement. Feedback from urology departments and guidance from the Getting It Right First Time (GIRFT) program highlighted the necessity for a formal network to align efforts and implement best practices more effectively.

What We Did

• Initiated Collaboration: In June 2022, a workshop with Clinical Leads, Operational Managers, Nurses, and Primary Care Representatives led to the consensus on establishing a Urology Area Network (UAN).
• Secured Executive Support: The Cancer Transformation Team worked with stakeholders to gain endorsement from the Acute Provider Collaborative (APC), formalising the UAN in December 2023.
• Developed Workstreams: Regular meetings and project management support facilitated progress on key initiatives, including updates, action planning, and establishing reporting channels.

Key Initiatives and Results:

• Local Anaesthetic Transperineal Prostate Biopsies (LATP):
  - Created a Specialist Role: Introduced a Urology Specialist Core Trainer, Mandi, to lead nurse-led LATP biopsy clinics.
  - Cost Savings: Achieved over £60,000 annual savings in consultant fees.
  - Enhanced Access and Outcomes: Increased availability of timely and effective prostate cancer diagnostics.
  - System-Wide Standardisation: Mandi's training enabled nurse-led clinics across multiple trusts, ensuring consistent and high-quality care.

Impact on Healthcare System:

• Efficiency and Cost-Effectiveness: Nurse-led clinics reduce the need for general anaesthesia and hospital admissions, freeing up surgeons for complex cases and improving resource allocation.
• Improved Patient Experience: Patients benefit from reduced risks and quicker recovery times, with many able to go home the same day, minimising disruption, and stress.
• System Resilience: By leveraging trained nurses for routine procedures, the system becomes more adaptable and capable of handling fluctuating demands.

Next Steps

• Expand Nurse Training: Continue training nurses to further roll out the LATP model.
• Ongoing Collaboration: Maintain regular meetings and stakeholder engagement to drive continuous improvement in prostate cancer care.

The Urology Area Network exemplifies the benefits of a coordinated, system-focused approach, enhancing prostate cancer care delivery and supporting the ICS priorities of improving access, efficiency, and patient outcomes.