Covid-19

Living with COVID-19 testing update letter

Using lateral flow tests to access COVID-19 treatments

1

Restore urgent cancer referrals at least to pre-pandemic levels

2

Reduce the backlog at least to pre-pandemic levels (on both 62 and 31 day pathways)

3

Ensure sufficient capacity to manage increased demand moving forwards

We will support delivery of these aims by:

A

Supporting a system first model for recovery through Cancer Alliances

B

Tackling inequalities, including where they may have been further impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic

C

Ensuring that patients and staff have confidence that services are COVID protected

D

Locking in innovations prompted by the pandemic or which support recovery

E

Ensuring we have the right workforce in place

F

Re-starting LTP activity which supports recovery

G

Ensuring effective communications across the wider community

System first working

Leadership of HIOW Cancer Recovery, support via DCP for Dorset.
Surgical Hub in place across Alliance footprint. Infrastructure utilised for other modalities e.g. Endoscopy in Dorset
Wessex Dashboard tracking activity and waiting times across the geography of the Alliance
Endoscopy modelling to plan medium term capacity and identify variation within a footprint.

Tackling inequalities

Targeted listening and engagement with Black and Asian population,
Prioritisation of improved data on inequality,
Early Diagnosis and Prevention education of seldom heard (Communities Against Cancer)
Action to address gap in NCPES on Isle of Wight through a patient collaborative

Patient and staff confidence sites are Covid-19 protected

Fortnightly Bulletin with information on latest clinical guidance, infection control and CV-19 funding or support
Trust site patient and staff videos on YouTube
Primary Care Q&A and information webinars
Patient facing website and multimedia information and support including patient stories
Revision of Covid-19 consent form, patient information sheets and support lines
Set up of an off site Independent Sector Cancer Surgical Hub

Locking in innovation

Partnership with Health Innovation Wessex (HIW) to provide clinical and management capacity to implement evidenced innovation swiftly
Via SSGs, nursing and AHP fora, offer an Innovation Fund to support newly developed ways of working
Safefit – a virtual service replacing WESFIT during pandemic period offering psychological, nutrition and fitness support
Implementation of Virtual MDT and Investment in diagnostic image sharing technology
Survey of trusts via SSGS for Covid-19 developed innovations

Effective Communications

Patient and stakeholder websites developed.
Multimedia communications strategy activated

Endoscopy workforce

HEE/Clinical team workshops to design accelerated 30 week clinical endoscopy course, sharing novel ways of working, new roles and alternative models of care,
Working with London and Wessex Deanery to implement Immersion Model Training for GI Registrars,
Commissioning of South West Virtual Endoscopy Training Academy
National pilot of 40 week progression to colonoscopy open to Wessex workforce

Radiologist workforce

£26,372 available per staff member, offer to all trusts, costs to cover course fee, supervision, workstation and backfill for training in advanced radiology, for example Advanced Medical Imaging, Interpretation and reporting in mammography. 150 places nationally per year.

Cancer Nurse Specialists

Support the development of aspiring and existing Cancer Clinical Nurse Specialists via 2 options:

Individual grants of up to £5000 per person to undertake learning and development at post-graduate or advanced level (x12)
Purchase education and / or training, for a group of aspiring and / or existing CaCNS, to meet an identified need

Chemotherapy Nursing

Development of existing and aspiring Chemotherapy Nurses with a training grant of up to £1,500 per individual with five training grants per Cancer Alliance available

Alliance specific funding

£614,915 HEE additional funding and £180k Alliance funding for targeted Wessex projects including
supported self-management within all Trusts across Wessex.
Roles for CNSs and Cancer Support Workers, AHP First Contact Practitioner across primary and secondary care
Education and development AHPs and the wider health and care workforce about personalised care with a focus on prehabilitation and rehabilitation in people with cancer – PRosPER
Advanced Communications Skills Training for clinical staff in community, primary and secondary care

Dorset

LiveWell Dorset
Stop smoking, lose weight, get active or drink less
online and telephone support

Hampshire

Healthy Weight – online BMI calculator and access to WW (Weight Watchers online)
Smokefree Hampshire – you can self-refer on the website, call our Quitline on 01264 563039

Southampton

A number of pharmacies offer smoking cessation advice – you can find the specific pharmacies here – during this time though they may more be offering this so use the national advice below
NHS stop smoking – advice and telephone or online support on the NHS website

Isle of Wight

Stop Smoking: telephone support 01983 823670 or email iwwellbeingservice@iow.gov.uk
Referrals for weight management must be made by a health professional or Jobcentre+/DWP
physical activity to national resources available on:

Portsmouth

Portsmouth Wellbeing Service – quit smoking, drink less alcohol and achieve a healthy weight through eating well and moving more
Telephone and email support 023 9229 4001 or wellbeing@portsmouthcc.gov.uk