NICaN Clinical Reference Groups (CRGs)
NICaN facilitates a number of Clinical Reference Groups (CRGs). These groups meet to address a particular type of cancer (e.g., breast, lung), or a particular service area (e.g., SACT or radiotherapy).
CRGs include a full range of healthcare professionals from all trusts and across the cancer care pathway, (diagnostic and treatment). The groups also include cancer service managers and members who represent the patient and public voice and who have experience of the cancer journey. Groups meet regularly and work collaboratively to deliver the following key core objectives:
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- Agree clinical management guidelines and ensure consistency of delivery across all trusts
- Service planning/delivery
- Service improvement and redesign
- Quality monitoring and evaluation
- Education and workforce and Research and development
For more information on membership and Terms of Reference for each group, see the table below for either Tumour Specific Groups or Themed groups.
| Tumour Specific CRGs | Clinical Chair |
|---|---|
| Brain and Central Nervous System | Ms Nicola Johnston, Consultant Neurosurgeon, RVH |
| Breast | vacant |
| Colorectal | Mr Barry McAree, Consultant Surgeon NHSCT |
| Gynae | Dr Ian Harley, Consultant Gynaecologist, BHSCT |
| Haematology | Dr Bridgin Merron, Consultant Haematologist, NHSCT |
| Head and Neck | vacant |
| Lung | Dr Wendy Anderson (Interim Chair), Consultant Respiratory Medicine, NHSCT |
| Sarcoma | vacant |
| Skin (Melanoma & complex skin Ca) | vacant |
| Thyroid | Dr Steven Hunter, Consultant Endocrinologist (BHSCT) |
| Upper GI | Mr Mark Taylor (Interim Chair), Consultant Hepatobiliary and Pancreatic Surgeon, BHSCT |
| Urology | Mr Mark Haynes Consultant Urologist, SHSCT |
| Themed CRGs | Clinical Chair |
|---|---|
| Acute Oncology Service (AOS) | Dr Lois Mulholland, Consultant Clinical Oncologist, SEHSCT |
| Allied Health Professionals (AHP) | David Curtin (Co-Chair), Speech and Language Therapist, WHSCT Nicola Evans (Co-Chair), Clinical Lead Occupational Therapist – Cancer Services, BHSCT |
| Nurse Leaders Reference Group (NLRG) | Lorna Nevin, Nurse Consultant, Cancer (NICaN/PHA) |
| Pharmacy | Deborah Neeson, Interim Regional Lead Cancer Services Pharmacist |
| Radiotherapy | Mary Costelloe, Head of Radiotherapy Physics, NWCC |
| Systemic Anti-Cancer Therapy (SACT) | Dr Paula Scullin, Consultant Medical Oncologist, BHSCT |
| Teenage and Young Adults (TYA) | Vacant |