Cancer Reform Strategy - NHS Cancer Screening Programmes

110Chapter 9:Stronger commissioningChapter Summary●●●●●Strong cancer commissioning will be vital to delivering world class cancer services;The recommendations in World Class Commissioning are directly applicable to cancerservices;In future cancer networks will play a central role, reporting to PCTs in commissioning cancerservices;This chapter includes a series of measures to strengthen the support available tocommissioners, including publishing a cancer commissioning guide and planning toolkit; andCommissioners should also use existing national guidance and standards and the process ofpeer review to assist them in making commissioning decisions for cancer.Introduction9.1 This strategy reflects a progressive transitionaway from central command towards greaterlocal control in health services. The NHS will beempowered and incentivised to drive up thequality of cancer care at a local level and to beresponsive to the needs of the local population.9.2 Everyone with a commitment to deliveringworld class cancer services should have a role toplay in helping deliver this strategy. However,strong commissioning will be particularlyimportant. This chapter sets out the newsupport which will be available tocommissioners, as well as some of the leversand tools which good commissioners will usewhen planning service improvements.Enabling strong commissioningfor cancer9.3 Strong cancer commissioning is vital toensuring that high quality services are deliveredwhich reflect national priorities, the needs oflocal populations and offer good value formoney. Responsibility for the implementationof most of this strategy will rest with PrimaryCare Trust (PCT) Boards as the statutory bodiesresponsible for commissioning the full range ofservices for their population within theirallocated budgets.9.4 To achieve the goals of this strategy, PCTswill need to work in closer partnership withother PCTs and their supporting practice basedcommissioning and specialised commissioningarrangements, taking strategic decisions to shapehow and where care is best delivered. They willneed to secure comprehensive services for cancerfor their population, that are coordinated acrossthe care pathway, including health promotion,social services, preventative and other servicesprovided jointly with local authorities.9.5 In the past, commissioning for cancerservices has not been as effective as it mighthave been. Peer Review has shown that whilst25% of networks have demonstrated thateffective collective commissioning arrangementsare in place, with an agreed three year strategic