The first Humber, Coast and Vale Cancer Alliance Conference took place at York Racecourse on Thursday 5th March 2020.
Over 150 people attended the event including people living with and beyond cancer, healthcare professionals and representatives from organisations such as Intelerad, Cancer Research UK and Healthwatch.
The event consisted of snapshot presentations which showcased and celebrated the work that is taking place across the Alliance. Among the speakers was David Fitzgerald, National Cancer Programme Director from NHS England who spoke of the impact of the NHS Long Term Plan for cancer.
Delegates also heard from the Positive Note Choir, who highlighted the importance of on-going support after a cancer diagnosis and performed at the event. Bill, who is a member of the Positive Notes Choir, said:
“I have been a member of Beverley Male Voice Choir for a few years and joined the Positive Note Choir after hearing about it at my first ‘Living With and Beyond Cancer’ outpatient appointment in November 2018.
I’m very aware of the benefits of singing both for physical and mental wellbeing,and I’ve made lots of new friends through singing with Positive Note. It is also an opportunity to repay the NHS in some small way by raising funds for Macmillan Cancer Support at Castle Hill Hospital.”
Phil Mettam, Chair of Humber, Coast and Vale Cancer Alliance hosted the event and said:
“Clinicians, managers, service users, and carers gathered in York to celebrate our cancer services, but also to challenge each other to do better. Our focus was on patients, on their outcomes, and on the quality of services. Not on organisations.
“Feedback has been resounding and positive and I would like to thank everyone for supporting our conference.”
“Many of the presentations emphasised the importance of early diagnosis, the earlier we diagnose the better the chance of a positive outcome, and the more cost-efficient the care is for the tax-payer. It will be a priority for our Alliance that over the next 5 years that we all focus on improving this position.
“We were inspired by examples of clinical innovations and excited by the contribution that science can play through the evolution of genomics. On stage discussions between our clinical leaders gave us great confidence that our committed clinicians know the challenges ahead and have the experience and skills required to help improve cancer outcomes and services.
“For me, the highlight of the conference was the Positive Note Choir who opened and closed our event. These are people who have had their lives touched in some way by cancer, their stories are compelling, moving and uplifting.”
To download our report on all the feedback collected from the day, click here. Below you can view photos from the day and watch a video from the event.
