National audit shows better care for head and neck cancer patients, but still room for improvement

Head and neck cancer patients are receiving better care than in previous years, but there is still room for improvement, the summary report from the National Head and Neck Cancer Audit (DAHNO) shows today.

More patients in England and Wales had their care planned by specialist teams in 2008 compared to previous years and waited less time for key elements of care, such as chest imaging.

The fourth national audit analysed care records submitted by NHS trusts for the period of November 2007 to October 2008. The records submitted represent 62 per cent (3,671) of an estimated 5,910 cases in England and 94 per cent (367) of an estimated 390 cases in Wales.

The audit is managed by The NHS Information Centre, commissioned and funded by The Healthcare Quality Partnership (HQIP) and supported by a wide group of both medical and non medical professional bodies, the British Association of Head and Neck Oncologists (BAHNO) and health departments in England and Wales. It shows:

  • Overall, the average time from biopsy to the reporting of biopsy results improved, with a 10 per cent reduction compared to the previous year in cases having an interval of more than 10 days. Approximately 85 per cent of cases had an interval of less than 10 days.
  • Multi disciplinary teams (MDTs) discussed 92 per cent of patient cases, compared to 74.2 per cent the previous year; while the number of submissions where this information was not recorded fell from 20 to one per cent. Seven per cent of cases were not discussed by MDTs, despite the National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence (NICE) recommending 100 per cent of cases are discussed.
  • Overall 61 per cent of patients with a care plan had a chest imaging (a chest x-ray or scan of the chest) recorded in 2008, compared to 32 per cent of patients in 2006. However NICE guidelines state every patient should have chest imaging.

NHS Trust identifiable data is included in the audit, which aims to give comparative feedback to trusts, with the ultimate aim of improving patient care.

NHS Information Centre chief executive Tim Straughan said: “Now in its fourth year, the audit shows improvements in the care of those with head and neck cancers, which affect the lives of more than six thousand people in England and Wales.

“There have also been improvements in the data submitted to the audit, but NHS trusts need to build on this and further improve both the level and the quality of the data they submit. This will ensure future audits present an even more comprehensive picture of head and neck cancer care, and ultimately improve the experience of patients who have the disease.”

Richard Wight, Consultant Head and Neck Surgeon and Head and Neck Audit lead, said: “Further pieces of the multi-professional aspects of head and neck cancer care have been revealed, and as comprehensive submissions continue to rise, a more complete picture of head and neck cancer care will emerge. This report brings that goal ever closer.”

Robin Burgess, Chief Executive of the Healthcare Quality Improvement Partnership said: “The National Head and Neck Cancer Audit shows the value of clinical audit in leading to measurable changes in care and treatment for patients. Without clinical audit, these year on year improvements may not be achieved."

The audit can be viewed at www.ic.nhs.uk/canceraudits

ENDS

Notes to editors

  1. The Head and Neck Cancer Audit (DAHNO) provides a continuous electronic comparative audit on the management of head and neck cancer in England and Wales. The project is supported by a wide group of both medical and non medical professional bodies, by the British Association of Head and Neck Oncologists (BAHNO) and by health departments in England and Wales.
  2. The Healthcare Quality Improvement Partnership (HQIP) is led by a consortium of the Academy of Medical Royal Colleges, the Royal College of Nursing and National Voices. Its aim is to promote quality improvement, and in particular to increase the impact that clinical audit has on healthcare quality in England and Wales. HQIP hosts the contract to manage and develop the National Clinical Audit and Patient Outcomes Programme (NCAPOP). Their purpose is to engage clinicians across England and Wales in systematic evaluation of their clinical practice against standards and to support and encourage improvement in the quality of treatment and care. The programme comprises more than 20 clinical audits that cover care provided to people with a wide range of medical, surgical and mental health conditions, including diabetes.
  3. The NHS Information Centre (The NHS IC) is England's authoritative, independent source of health and social care information. It works with more than 300 health and social care providers nationwide to provide the facts and figures that help the NHS and social services run effectively. Its role is to collect data, analyse it and convert it into useful information which helps providers improve their services and supports academics, researchers, regulators and policymakers in their work. The NHS IC also produces more than 120 statistical publications each year across a number of areas including: primary care, health and lifestyles, screening, hospital care, population and geography, social care and workforce and pay statistics.
  4. The NHS IC is the largest single provider of clinical audits to the NHS and carries out a range of audits, mainly funded by the Healthcare Quality Improvement Partnership, into cancer, heart disease and diabetes.
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