Background on the Network's lung tumour stream

The resulting report: Stevens, W., Stevens G., Kolbe, J. (2007) ‘Auckland – Northland Audit of the Secondary Care Management of Lung Cancer Patients Diagnosed in 2004’ highlighted differences in management that could explain the poorer lung cancer survival outcomes in NZ than in Australia and many other developed countries, and noted opportunities for improvement.

Faced with these findings there was a call for the Network to establish a lung tumour stream to facilitate service improvements. The authors proposed useful recommendations aimed at improving outcomes and reducing inequalities. These include undertaking a stock take of services & performance, development of standards & standardisation of care, development of performance monitoring capability, and facilitation of training and research.

The Terms of Reference for this project have been approved and a project group established.

The overall aims of the lung tumour stream are:

to undertake an evidence based practice approach, where this exists, to establish and enable an appropriate care for patients with lung cancer.
to guide the development of a 3 year service delivery plan for lung cancer in collaboration with regional cancer service providers which identifies short, medium and long term initiatives to address system issues
to provide regional cancer service providers with advice and guidance for the distribution of resources across the Network to ensure commissioning of services is in the best interest of cancer patients.
to consider the recommendations made following the Lung Cancer Audit by Stevens.

Project reports and publications will be posted as the project develops.

For further information regarding this project contact Mark Young the Network's Tumour Stream Project Manager on 09 589 3935 or 021 2416 716 or mark.young@ndsa.co.nz. If you are interested in receiving the Network's electronic updates please email kirsty.hunter@ndsa.co.nz your full contact details.