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Reports and Audit

Peer Review

Peer review is a collaborative quality improvement process, which allows for the evaluation of scientific, academic or professional work by others working in the same field.

It constitutes a form of self-regulation by qualified members of a profession, encouraging peers to share information, learn where their strengths and weaknesses lie and agree plans for improvements to patient care. Peer review methods are employed to maintain standards of quality, improve performance, and provide credibility.

A national steering group within NHS Wales was involved in the development of the peer review measures which were designed to assess the quality and performance of acute oncology services (AOS), against the All Wales National Standards for Acute Oncology Services (June 2016).  This is the first time that AOS have been reviewed in Wales. It was noted that the teams were at different stages of maturity and have developed differing models of service dependent on resource and geography. 

The main focus of this review included:

  1. Shape and function of the service, including acute hospital admissions;
  2. Management of neutropenic sepsis;
  3. Diagnosis and management of Metastatic Spinal Cord Compression (MSCC)
  4. Malignancy of Unknown Origin (MUO), including Carcinoma of Unknown Primary (CUP)

All AOS services in Wales must take part in Peer Review and services will in future be measured against the All Wales National Standards for Acute Oncology Services

For further information about Peer Review, please CLICK HERE

 

AOS Dataset

The All Wales AOS Group coordinate and support a consistent approach to data collection and reporting across Wales. All AOS services must collect data in line with:

  • Welsh Information Governance and Standards Board; National Cancer Data Standards for Wales – Acute Oncology Service (AOS). Available HERE
  • DHCW: Welsh Information Governance and Standards Board; National Cancer Data Standards for Wales – Core. Available HERE

Quality Performance Indicators (QPI’s)

Alongside the implementation of the national AOS dataset, the All Wales AOS Group are working to identify Quality Performance Indicators (QPI’s) and a consistent approach to reporting on them.

All Health Boards / Trusts in Wales aim to begin capturing data in line with the agreed QPIs from the 1st November 2022 with a view to report this data to the All Wales AOS Group from the 1st April 2023 onwards. This will allow Health Boards to identify any issues with their current reporting processes / systems which can be taken to the national group for discussion and support.

For further information on the AOS Clinical Quality Performance Indicators, please contact WCN.WalesCancerNetwork@wales.nhs.uk