Using the Tumour Stream Approach
Tumour streams focus on one type of cancer at a time, with the intent to improve the level of care within this type of cancer. The reasoning behind the tumour stream is that a consistent approach to clinical management, based on evidence-based practice will improve service delivery across the care continuum, and reduce unacceptable variations in care. The tumour stream approach provides a clear description of the patient pathway, identifying the critical points along that pathway and the optimal model of care required. A Steering Group of specialists for each cancer tumour stream is engaged, including senior clinicians and managers from DHBs, to discuss and identify what areas of the patient pathway can be improved. An important facet of this approach is also the collection of data to calculate performance at critical points in the patient pathway. This data is analysed and used to engender discussion around service improvements and patient care.
Typical areas of improvement are:
- Access to secondary care
- Timeliness of diagnostic work up
- Access to treatment
- Inequalities
- the Multidisciplinary approach (including MDM meetings)
- Sometimes medical outcomes can be improved
The Northern Cancer Network has established a Lung Tumour Stream and a Bowel Tumour Stream, and further information on these are available through the links on the left of this page. It is anticipated that over the 2012-13 year further tumour streams will be developed for other cancers.
For further information please contact:
Mark Young
Tumour Stream Project Manager
Northern Cancer Network
09 589 3935
021 2416 716
mark.young@ndsa.co.nz
Updated January 2012