Local and National Contracts

This page contains information on the PCN GP contract 26/27 as well as information on the Cancer Prevention and Early Diagnosis Local improvement projects. We can support you with the following national and local contract requirements relating to cancer.

If you have any questions or would like some support please email us at wessexcanceralliance@wca.uhs.nhs.uk

Prevention & Early Diagnosis Local Improvement Scheme (LIS) 26/27

We have worked with Hampshire and Isle of Wight ICB and Dorset ICB to develop local contracts to support PCNs in developing early cancer diagnosis initiatives in line with the national long-term plan.

The introductory webinar below, outlines each requirement in more detail and support resources available to PCNs.

The dropdown sections below contain additional resources, guidance, and supporting information to help PCNs complete the requirements of the LIS for 26/27.

You can find the bowel campaign toolkit here

LGI Pathway Slides PDF and editable version

Wessex LGI Referral Form – Completed Example

LGI Referral Review Template – Optional to use

Surveys to support evaluation:

LIS Bowel Screening Telephone Follow-Up – Support Session

Watch our webinar from 7th Oct 26 for further details of the screening requirement plus learning and tips from Meon Health Practice.

Earlier Diagnosis Screening Requirements

Meon Health Practice – Learning from Bowel Screening Pilot

Example telephone script and commonly asked questions

Searches to identify non-responders – updated system searches for EMIS and SystmOne have been sent to non-clinical cancer leads. If you have not received these please contact wessexcanceralliance@wca.uhs.nhs.uk

2026/27 PCN DES – National Contract

NHS England » Network Contract DES: Contract specification 2026/27 – PCN requirements and entitlements

If you have signed up to the WCA Local Improvement Scheme or Dorset Incentive Scheme then this will support you in achieving some of the elements below.

The DES specification at section 8.3.1 also states that a PCN’s approach must include the following:

a) in collaboration with partners, reviewing the quality of cancer referral practice against the recommendations of NICE Guideline 12, focusing on timely referral to support improved cancer survival. This should include building on current safety netting practice, including using electronic safety netting tools where appropriate to monitor patients with symptoms which could indicate cancer;

Primary Care – Wessex Cancer Academy

Safety Netting – Wessex Cancer Academy

b) working with partners, including screening commissioning teams and providers to improve uptake by proactively identifying those who are eligible but have not accessed NHS screening (inclusive of breast, cervical and bowel cancer screening), supporting opportunities to raise awareness and benefits, and understand the barriers to the programmes;

For support around this requirement please visit our cancer screening pages on the primary care toolkit

c) working to support uptake of the Lung Cancer Screening programme;

PCNs can support the Lung Cancer Screening programme by improving the smoking status recording in your practice/PCN. Here is a guide that can be used to support you in how to do this

Investment and Impact Fund

The IIF indicator for FIT and Lower GI suspected cancer referrals remains the same as the previous year:

CAN04 – The proportion of patients who have had a lower gastrointestinal urgent suspected cancer referral in the reporting year where at least one urgent suspected cancer referral was accompanied by a faecal immunochemical test result, with the result recorded in the 21 days leading up to the referral.

For more details on FIT and the Wessex Lower GI pathway please see our Symptomatic FIT page

Further support

We can support you in achieving the aims of the PCN DES for Early Diagnosis. If you would like to get in touch please email wessexcanceralliance@wca.uhs.nhs.uk

Cancer Matters Wessex is a dedicated public-facing website for people in Hampshire, Dorset and the Isle of Wight who need support or advice about cancer. The site provides information about cancer signs and symptoms, the referral process, what happens when you are diagnosed with cancer, and local and national support available.

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