Identifying the need for and availability of community rehabilitation for patients in the community with brain and CNS tumours

Abstract

BACKGROUND: Of the 2.5 million people living with cancer in the UK, 60% have unmet physical or psychological needs following treatment. To provide good person-centred care and enable these people to achieve optimum function and quality of life, ?all cancer patients must have access to appropriately skilled Allied Health Professionals, AHPs (including occupational therapists, physiotherapists, speech and language therapists, dietitians and psychologists)? (NHS England, 2016). INTRODUCTION: This Macmillan-funded project is based at the Royal Stoke University Hospital (RSUH), one of the largest hospital trusts in the country. Brain and CNS tumour patients under the care of RSUH come from a large geographical area including Stoke-on Trent, Staffordshire, Central Cheshire, Shropshire and Powys. Brain and CNS tumour patients admitted to the neurosurgery ward at RSUH can access all of the above AHP services. However, when people return home accessing similar services is often difficult; this also applies to non-surgical patients, who are also likely to require AHP support. METHOD: An analysis of community AHP services showed an inequality in service provision; the larger population of Stoke-on-Trent and North Staffordshire do not have access to community-based, cancer specialist AHPs, which are available in Central Cheshire and Shropshire. Further data was collected from an online survey, with differences between training levels and AHP confidence in working with cancer patients between the counties being analysed. MOVING FORWARD: Whilst other projects have demonstrated similar results, in our area we currently find ourselves in an almost unique situation. The four CCGs in the immediate vicinity of the hospital are in the process of 'tendering out' Cancer Care and End of Life Care. Consortiums are bidding for the two 10-year contracts with a combined value of £1.2 billion. We are working with all relevant parties to highlight the particular AHP needs of brain and CNS tumour patients.