About the Service
Welcome to the Cancer section of the NHS Highland site.
As a priority area for the Scottish Health Department, and for Health Minister, Nicola Sturgeon, it is vital that our local services are fit for purpose, and that up to date information is available to all.
News on cancer information now available
NHS Highland have been working with NHS Education for Scotland, Macmillan Cancer Support and Highland Council to build new services for cancer information.
Now available is Cancer Information+ This is a website for people affected by cancer which has been written with the needs in mind of members of the public who don't have specialist medical knowledge. Cancer Information+ contains information about cancer types and the local and national help and support available to people affected by cancer. Also covered are topics beyond medical information such as information on practical and emotional needs, information about work and financial issues and information for carers. The sources used are high quality, clear and easy to understand and cover the essential topics. Cancer Information+ website is available freely on the internet. Anyone can access the internet in their local public library. Or if you prefer to speak to someone about cancer, you can call Macmillan Cancer Support helpline for free on 0808 808 2020.
For people who would like more specialist information, we also have an integrated sister site, Cancer e-Library which contains information written for health professionals and people who are used to medical language, and uses a variety of sources both free and subscription-based. For further details, or a demonstration or presentation of the websites, please contact Carolyn Smith (carolyn.smith@nes.scot.nhs.uk or 0141 352 2890)
To help people get the most out of the cancer information services, NHS Education for Scotland can offer training in Information Literacy. Information literacy is the set of skills that allows you to form questions, find and evaluate sources of information, and to combine the information with what you already know to share and apply knowledge in practice. It is useful for members of the public as well as all types of staff to learn these skills. Please contact Carolyn Smith (carolyn.smith@nes.scot.nhs.uk or 0141 352 2890) to find out more about organising or taking part in a course.
Background
Cancer is the most common cause of premature death in Highland in people under 65
900 deaths per year from cancer (which accounts for 25% of all deaths),
Cancer of the lung remains the commonest cause of death from cancer (28% of all deaths),
1600 new registrations of cancer per year,
over 8000 people and their families are living with cancer across Highland.
Cancer Care and Treatment Around the North
NOSCAN (North of Scotland Cancer Network) is monitoring progress against the full implementation of the Cancer in Scotland National Strategies, ensuring that the cancer agenda can be delivered through investing in staff, technology and supporting service change, research and development
Within the North of Scotland Cancer Network area (Shetland, Orkney, Western Isles , Highland, Grampian and Tayside Board areas) groups of specialist and expert clinical staff together with patients and support staff, are influencing and delivering the cancer agenda via strong Managed Clinical Networks related to each of the main tumour sites. The benefits of sharing best practice, agreeing common standards for care and treatment are vital components in improving quality for patients. (eg Lung Cancer Bowel cancer, Urology cancer, Upper GI – with a Breast MCN pending)
There are a number of important policy documents which have and still guide the quality and ongoing development of cancer services across Scotland setting out actions across the many aspects of cancer care
There are 3 Specialist Cancer Centers within NOSCAN
- Aberdeen Royal Infirmary
- Raigmore Hospital in Inverness
- Ninewells Hospital, Dundee.
Highland
Within Highland most of the specialist cancer surgery and treatments including chemotherapy and Radiotherapy treatments are delivered at Raigmore Hospital in Inverness, with only very specialised treatments being referred to centres outwith Highland - eg thoracic surgery and some gynecological cancers surgery are referred to Aberdeen Royal Infirmary and very specialised Radiotherapy (Brachytherapy) is referred to Glasgow or Edinburgh. The Rural General Hospitals - Caithness General Hospital in Wick, and the Belford Hospital in Fort William – both offer surgery for some cancer operations and both deliver Chemotherapy. In addition, the Mackinnon Memorial Hospital in Isle of Skye caters for Chemotherapy treatments.
Argyll and Bute
While some cancer surgery takes place at the Rural General Hospital in Oban, the main Cancer Centre for our patients living in Argyll and Bute diagnostic and treatment is also undertaken at Inverclyde Royal Hospital, Southern General Hospital…and the Western Infirmary which are within NHS Greater Glasogw and Clyde. The Beatson Oncology Centre in Glasgow provides care and treatment for patients requiring Radiotherapy and/or Chemotherapy
NHS Highland recognises the complexity of cancer care and cancer services, and the highly specialised nature of each step of the cancer pathway – symptom-advice, referral, treatments and ongoing care and support systems, and our Professionals (specialists, experts and support staff) working within our hospitals and local communities are working collaboratively in the best interests of patients and their families.
NHS Highland is poised to deliver on a range of local cancer priorities which will bring improvements to cancer care by ensuring access to the best quality of care for everyone regardless of where they live.
Clinical and professional development within specialties:
- Agreeing minimum care and treatment standards
- CNS and AHP role extension
Team-working for each tumour specific site:
- Cancer Audit
- Access to Diagnostics
- Capital investments
- Cancer Waiting Times
Highland Wide Review of Oncology:
- Radiotherapy
- Chemotherapy
- Cancer Patient Information
- Patient Involvement
- Highland Health Voices
- Pts voice in Decision-making
Palliative Care
We have established a new Palliative Care Network involving comprehensive multi-agency representatives within NHS Highland , Highland Hospice, Macmillan cancer support, Marie Curie, Alzheimer’s Scotland and have endorsed a Strategy our Highland with priorities covering;
Objectives for the network
To promote and monitor the quality of palliative care (cancer and non-cancer) in Highland through guidelines and audit.
To take forward an agreed clinical strategy for palliative care.
To direct/influence the use of current and future NHS and non-governmental organisations (NGO) resources for service provision and education in Highland within the context of the strategy.
Macmillan Highland Report
You can read the Macmillan report looking at ‘Developing cancer information and support services in the Highlands’ here.
Local cancer patient support and information
The North Of Scotland Cancer Network (NOSCAN) Patient, Carer and Public Involvement Induction Pack
