Coronavirus (COVID-19): interim governance framework for cancer medicines in adults
This governance framework outlines the interim arrangements in NHSScotland for oversight of proposed changes to adult systemic anticancer therapy (SACT) practice in the context of COVID-19.
The COVID-19 pandemic changes the balance of benefit to risk for patients receiving systemic anticancer therapy (SACT) and will impact on workforce available to deliver SACT services in NHS Scotland.
There is an urgent need to review prescribing practice in order to minimise risk to patients, optimise use of workforce and support planning for SACT services being compromised due to staff absences and/or supply chain shortages. Decisions on treatment will need to be made on an individual patient basis by clinicians in discussion with the patient and, where appropriate, the multidisciplinary team (MDT). There will also be decisions made which will apply to groups of patients, notwithstanding that individual documented patient discussions will still be required Normal processes for organisational approval of routine changes to practice are not sufficiently responsive to the current situation and are also currently suspended.
This governance framework outlines the interim arrangements in NHS Scotland for oversight of proposed changes to adult SACT practice in the context of COVID-19. This will be delivered through a collaboration of the three regional cancer networks, to facilitate rapid decision-making and support, as far as possible, consistency in these changes.
Contact
Central Enquiry Unit
Email: ceu@gov.scot
Phone: 0300 244 4000
The Scottish Government
St Andrew's House
Regent Road
Edinburgh
EH1 3DG
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