Issue - meetings

13.1.      The Committee considered a report providing an update on developments in improving cancer care in East Sussex. The Committee then asked the witnesses present a number of questions.

13.2.      The Committee asked whether the national bowel cancer screening programme had been introduced in East Sussex.

13.3.      Lisa Elliott confirmed that bowel scope screening has not started in East Sussex yet due predominantly to endoscopy capacity. NHS England commissions bowel scope screening and the CCGs are working with them to increase the available capacity. The personal test has recently changed from the FOBT (Faecal Occult Blood Test) to the Faecal Immunochemical Test (FIT).  The implementation of the FIT test for screening began in June 2019 for people over 60-74.  For symptomatic patients presenting to their GP, FIT test is also available.

13.4.      Lisa Elliott said that she would feedback the Committee’s concerns that GPs may not be offering the FIT for people under 60, even those with a family history of the disease. 

13.5.      The Committee asked why there is a lack of endoscopy if there are newly opened units at both hospital sites.

13.6.      Lisa Elliott explained that East Sussex Healthcare NHS Trust (ESHT) has increased its capacity, and endoscopy demand is continuing to increase. The Trust is reviewing how it can increase its capacity further.

13.7.      Ashley Scarff added that Brighton & Sussex University Hospital NHS Trust (BSUH) has similar capacity issues around availability of staffing and equipment, so increasing capacity at the trust’s hospital sites is a key area for improvement.

13.8.      The Committee asked to what extent missing the 62-day referral to treatment was due to a shortage of oncologists and other specialists and whether they could be attracted to work in East Sussex

13.9.      Ashley Scarff confirmed that some of the capacity constraints at BSUH were due to lack of workforce capacity and equipment, as well as the need to improve pathways, and plans are in place to address all of these issues.  ESHT is also experiencing workforce constraints and is continuing work to improve cancer pathways in order to meet the 62-day referral target. The focus of these improvements to cancer pathways will be on deploying existing staff more effectively

13.10.   Ashley Scarff added that the increasing demand for diagnosis and treatment from an aging population and higher referral rates, albeit being offset by increasing preventative services, meant that there would be a longer term need to review the size of the workforce required to deliver the target in the future.

13.11.   Jessica Britton said that there is an improving picture of recruitment at ESHT. Ashley Scarff added that the performance of the providers was a virtuous circle and that for both BSUH and ESHT coming out of special measures would help attract staff.

The Committee asked when the Sussex Cancer Board was established

13.12.   Lisa Elliott said the Sussex Cancer Board was established in August 2019. During the previous three years, strategic guidance had come from the Sussex and Surrey Cancer Alliance. However, the  ...  view the full minutes text for item 14