Cancer Quality Performance Indicators (QPIs)
Better Cancer Care (2008) included a
commitment to “develop a work programme which will define how we
will take forward … quality indicators for cancer
services”.
To achieve this, the Scottish Cancer Taskforce
established the National Cancer Quality Steering Group which is
responsible for:
- the development of small sets (approximately
10-15 indicators) of tumour specific and generic national quality
performance indicators (QPIs)
- overseeing the implementation of the national
governance framework that underpins the reporting of performance
against national QPIs, and
- ensuring sustainability of this work
programme.
The QPIs have been developed collaboratively
with the three Regional Cancer Networks, Information Services
Division (ISD), and Healthcare Improvement Scotland. QPIs will be
kept under regular review and be responsive to changes in clinical
practice and emerging evidence.
The overarching aim of the cancer quality work
programme is to ensure that activity at NHS board level is focussed
on areas most important in terms of improving survival and patient
experience whilst reducing variance and ensuring safe, effective
and person-centred cancer care.
NHS QIS standards currently exist for breast,
colorectal, lung, ovarian and core cancer services. These
will now be reviewed to remove duplication and appropriate service
frameworks developed to underpin service provision. This work will
be initiated and taken forward by Healthcare Improvement Scotland
in 2012/13.
Following a period of development, public
engagement and finalisation, each set of QPIs will be published by
Healthcare Improvement Scotland. Accompanying datasets and
measurability criteria for QPIs will be published on the ISD
website. NHS boards will be required to report against QPIs as part
of a mandatory, publicly reported, programme at a national
level.
Draft QPIs available for public engagement:
Published Date: 11 May 2012
