Effective Cancer Management: framework

9. Effective Multidisciplinary Team (MDT) Meetings

The MDT provides a professional forum to discuss patients’ diagnostic test results and explore and agree the most effective treatment options available. It is crucial that all MDTs are coordinated and managed effectively to ensure there is clinical agreement on the next step of the patient’s pathway and a decision to treat is not delayed.

9.1 Each MDT should be well organised with a robust Terms of Reference (ToR).

9.2 The current day which the patient is on in their cancer pathway should be available and clearly communicated in the MDT meeting, so every effort is made to treat the patient within the 62- or 31-day standard.

9.3 The MDT coordinator and/or tracker should be well prepared, ensuring all diagnostic reports are available on time for the MDT discussion.

9.4 The MDT outcome should be clearly recorded and electronically filed (i.e. on clinical portal).

9.5 Any actions from the MDT should be taken forward in a timeous manner by the responsible owner.

9.6 The outcome of MDT should be shared with the patient, and their GP practice, as soon as possible following the meeting.

9.7 Time for MDT should be incorporated into all members job plans to ensure effective capacity management.

9.8 Forward planning of MDTs is essential to accommodate public holidays and leave, with mitigations put in place early to avoid cancellations or delays.

9.9 Patients should be advised of their anticipated MDT discussion date and of any delays to this.

9.10 The use of protocolised MDTs should be considered, when appropriate, to assist effective and efficient discussion.

9.11 Peer reviews of MDT processes should be encouraged so that learning and improvements can be identified and acted on.