Consultancy work to evaluate the all-Wales Suspected Cancer Pathway (SCP) Programme

NHS Procurement Wales, on behalf of the NHS Executive, Wales Cancer Network, wishes to invite proposals for the evaluation of the all-Wales Suspected Cancer Programme (SCP) programme.

The 3-year Suspected Cancer Pathway (SCP) Programme was introduced in April 2021, as a national programme to support NHS organisations to transform their cancer patient pathways through a whole system approach. The programme was intended to provide a platform for innovation across the diagnostic and treatment intervals of the patient pathway by developing a suite of National Optimal Pathways (NOPs). The NOPs are designed to align with the metric of the Suspected Cancer Pathway, and describe the optimal steps, sequence and associated timings along the patient cancer pathway, including all diagnostic steps, investigations and treatments. The SCP programme aims to deliver the vision of the NOPs aligned to the metric of the SCP to achieve better outcomes and experience for cancer patients across Wales.

We require a robust and independent assessment of the impact of the SCP programme.

The following key programme deliverables were identified:

• To review, develop and publish the National Optimal Pathways.
• In partnership with cancer Multidisciplinary Teams support the implement of the National Optimal Pathways through a whole-system approach.
• Support health boards to improve SCP performance (Point of Suspicion to First Definitive Treatment).
• Deliver the programme through a Value Based Health Care approach, to achieve better outcomes and experiences for cancer patients.
• Work collaboratively with health boards and stakeholders to share learning from the programme activities.

Programme aim and objectives

Aim:

• To enable effective implementation of the SCP across Wales, through a whole system approach informed by business intelligence data.

Objectives:

• To support health boards/trust in Wales to implement the SCP performance target (Point of Suspicion to First Definitive Treatment within 62 days) aligned to the best practice principles described by the National Optimal Pathways.
• To work in partnership with cancer MDTs to embed the vision of the National Optimal Pathways.

To support Health Boards/ Trust to implement data driven service improvements across the National Optimal Pathways