West Anglia Cancer Network Telemedicine Launch at Trust Annual General Meeting

September 3, 2002

Date: Tuesday 10th September 2002

Time: 2.30pm

Venue: Joyce Parker Suite, West Suffolk Hospital, Bury St Edmunds

A new Telemedicine system being launched on Tuesday 10th September by the West Anglia Cancer Network and Macmillan Cancer Relief at the West Suffolk Hospital is set to improve patient care and communication between hospital cancer teams across the region. The launch is taking place as part of the Trust’s annual general meeting. The Telemedicine System, which uses videoconferencing and live PC document and image links is being launched live across three hospital sites within the West Anglia Cancer Network - West Suffolk Hospital, Addenbrooke’s Hospital and Peterborough District Hospital.

It will demonstrate how the system is already helping members of multi-disciplinary clinical teams based at various hospitals within the Cancer Network to meet up and discuss cancer diagnoses and treatment of patients without spending clinical time on travelling to meetings at other hospitals. It is the first time cancer teams have had access to videoconferencing along with clinical data and slide images which allow full discussion of cancer care and treatment for patients without the need for face to face meetings. The technology will also help NHS Trusts speed up cancer services and meet important targets set within the NHS Plan. One of the most vital is the maximum two-week wait between an urgent GP referral for suspected cancer and an appointment with a specialist consultant.

Peggy Meredith, Anglia service development manager for Macmillan Cancer Relief, said: "This represents a huge opportunity to improve the way of working for hospital teams and improve clinical care for cancer patients which is why Macmillan Cancer Relief has helped to set up and fund the system. Clinicians had been travelling large distances to provide services acrosstheir geographical area. This technology should cut down travelling, and free up precious time for clinical work.

"It will also help provide continuity of care for people with cancer who may travel between different hospitals for different types of treatment. By allowing clinicians to discuss individual cases with specialist physicians at other hospitals it will also encourage sharing of expertise and best practise - helping to raise standards, aid clinical decision making and improve patient care generally."

Pam Evans, cancer services development manager at West Suffolk NHS Trust added: "The teleconferencing capability means that our clinicians no longer have to spend their time driving down the A14 to Cambridge to meet with their colleagues. Local patients will also benefit directly from having to make fewer visits to Addenbrooke s in Cambridge themselves."

 "This is a big step forward for the Trust, and will make communication between clinicians simpler, using a multidisciplinary approach to the management of patients." said Sarah Gull, consultant gynaecologist at West Suffolk NHS Trust. "It is also a wonderful educational opportunity for junior doctors, medical students, and all the members of the team."

The Telemedicine system is being funded by the Cambridge eScience Centre, Macmillan Cancer Relief and Siemens Medical Solutions, with additional support from individual NHS Trusts. The project links the regional cancer centre at Addenbrooke s and Papworth Hospitals with cancer units at Peterborough, West Suffolk, Bedford, King’s Lynn, Hinchingbrooke, and Harlow Hospitals, covering a population of 1.6 million people. Regular meetings of the gynaeoncology and upper gastro-intestinal disorders teams take place using the system, and it is already making a significant difference.

Looking to the future, members of the West Suffolk Hospitals colorectal cancer team will follow the live demonstration of the telemedicine system and highlight the progress of the Macmillan cancer care and treatment centre. Successful partnership working through the cancer network, and staff involvement in the development of services have enhanced the patient journey.