Please note: There are temporary changes to the GP contracts to support the Covid-19 vaccination programme (December 2021). Read more here.
Cancer Care Reviews – Background
As the incidence of cancer is rising and treatments improve, more patients are being diagnosed and living with and beyond cancer.
An average GP has 8 or 9 new cancer patients per year and will be looking after around 80 patients who have cancer. Primary care therefore has an important role in supporting patients to live well with and beyond the diagnosis of cancer.
The new and updated QOF indicators around cancer care reviews for 2021/2022 aim to increase the personalisation of cancer care. There are now 2 cancer care reviews mandated in QOF. These are usually done by a GP or practice nurse (this is not stipulated in QOF), but there is certainly scope for involvement of social prescribers for non-clinical support and signposting.
CAN005
This applies to patients diagnosed with cancer on or after 1/4/21. This looks at the percentage of patients with cancer diagnosed in the preceding 12 months who have had the opportunity for a discussion and been informed of the support available from their GP and wider practice team within 3 months of diagnosis.
The intention is to facilitate early and supportive conversations ensuring patients are aware of what help is available which may include clinical and social support.
CAN004
This does NOT apply to patients diagnosed with cancer earlier than 1/1/21. This looks at the percentage of patients with cancer diagnosed in the preceding 24 months who have had a cancer care review using a structured template recorded as occurring within 12 months of the date of diagnosis.
This recognises that whilst the active management of cancer occurs in secondary care, primary care has a key role in ongoing support and co-ordination of care. This review is required to be holistic covering clinical, practical, emotional, psychological and financial aspects of cancer care and the co-ordination of care. The QOF guidance states that the Macmillan template SHOULD be used. All of the GP IT systems have been updated to include the template (Macmillan has worked with Ardens to align the templates).
