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Announcements

News and announcements from across the Humber, Coast and Vale region.

Apr 09

Humber and North Yorkshire Cancer Alliance launches the Cancer Innovation Grants 2024/25

By Announcements, Cancer Diagnosis and Innovations

If you have an innovative project that promotes early cancer diagnosis, treatment, recovery and/or patient experience in the Humber and North Yorkshire area, the Cancer Alliance could help you with the funding.

The Cancer Alliance, in collaboration with Health Innovation Network Yorkshire & Humber and the Innovation Research and Improvement System, is proud to announce the launch of the Cancer Innovation Grants 2024/25.

“This is an excellent opportunity to develop our local culture of innovation through adopting and developing new ideas, which have a positive impact on patient experience and outcomes and the local cancer system,” said Kartikae Grover, Clinical Director, Humber and North Yorkshire Cancer Alliance.

The Cancer Innovation Grants form part of the Cancer Alliance’s aim to build a culture of cutting-edge cancer innovations, in line with the NHS Long Term Plan.

From small, grass-roots projects, to larger-scale innovation schemes, the Cancer Alliance is encouraging the development or adoption of innovative approaches to cancer that target local priorities for improvement, with a focus on (but not exclusive to) tumour sites with the highest volume of late stage diagnosis:

  • Oesophageal
  • Lung
  • Pancreatic
  • Colon
  • Rectum
  • Non-hodgkin’s lymphoma
  • Prostate

Who can apply for a Cancer Innovation Grant? 

The Cancer Alliance welcomes applications from:

  • Primary and secondary care organisations
  • Patients
  • Voluntary, community and social enterprises (VCSEs)
  • Wider system stakeholders – e.g. social care organisations

Collaboration is encouraged across organisations and sectors.

What kind of projects will the Cancer Alliance fund?

The Cancer Alliance is looking for newly identified innovations, as well as projects that adopt innovation ideas that have been proven a success elsewhere. Some examples include:

  • Adopting technology or a workforce to implement or embed new ways of reducing demand on diagnostic services
  • Developing patient education solutions, particularly those designed to address health inequalities
  • Initiatives to support increase in uptake of cancer screening programmes, with a focus on specific groups where screening uptake is low

What kind of projects will not receive funding?

Cancer Innovation Grants will not be awarded to support current standards and processes in cancer care – e.g. posts and activities that are part of core services and staffing, such as clinical nurse specialists.

The Cancer Alliance is not able to fund research or projects that require capital funding.

Grants timeline:

  • Applications Open – w/c 8 April 2024
  • Applications Close – 5pm, 31 May 2024.
  • Notification of Grant Award – 21 June 2024

What level of funding is available?

Individual grants will be funded to a maximum of £50,000 and applications to support community-based projects are also welcome at a minimum of £1,000.

How do I apply?

Find out more information on the Cancer Alliance website.

You can view and download the Cancer Innovation Grants Guidance and Application form or contact the Cancer Alliance Diagnostics and Innovation Team at [email protected].

Apr 01

“Take the two-minute test on the toilet and don’t flush away your chance of early detection.”

By Announcements, Awareness and Early Diagnosis

People aged between 60 and 74 are being urged to complete a home testing kit that can detect signs of bowel cancer, as part of Humber and North Yorkshire Cancer Alliance’s #flushawaybowelcancer campaign.

April is Bowel Cancer Awareness Month and the Cancer Alliance is carrying out a wide range of activities to raise awareness of bowel cancer symptoms and encourage more people to complete the Faecal Immunochemical Test (FIT) throughout the month.

Activities include:

  • Parkruns – members of the Cancer Alliance and partners wearing fancy dress, including fake bums, in York, Beverley, Hull and Cleethorpes
  • Cancer Champions – Bite-sized online bowel cancer awareness sessions
  • Community events – Awareness activity sessions at leisure centres, supermarkets and other community spaces
  • Teaming up with partners – Including Bowel Cancer UK’s Bowel Cancer Awareness Roadshow, visiting Hull 16-18 April, and events with Care Plus Group throughout Grimsby

Click here for information on all the activity near you.

Bowel cancer is the fourth most common cancer in the UK, killing more than 16,800 people every year. However, this type of cancer is curable, especially if diagnosed early, when you are up to nine times more likely to be successfully treated. Nearly everyone survives bowel cancer if diagnosed at the earliest stage. However, this drops significantly as the disease develops.

Andy, 68, raising awareness of the importance of early detection, after his FIT result detected abnormalities.

Screening is one of the best ways to detect bowel cancer early, and Andy Thompson, 68, from Anlaby, East Yorkshire, is keen to raise awareness of the importance of early detection, after his FIT result detected abnormalities which could have developed into cancer.

He said: “To anyone who receives a FIT in the post and is feeling squeamish, I would tell them about my experience compared with a relative of mine. The test isn’t as gruesome as some might think. It only takes a couple of minutes to complete. It probably takes longer to write out your details and return in the post.

“My result came back abnormal, so I had to have further investigations. Fortunately, all they found were polyps, which can become cancerous, so I had them all removed.

“We’re really lucky to get the FIT screening kit for free in the post. For a few minutes of unpleasantness, it can help you detect bowel cancer, or, in my case, help stop you getting it in the first place. Don’t flush away that chance, flush away bowel cancer instead!”

About five years previous, a close relative of Andy’s received a FIT in the post, put it away and forgot about it. A few months later, he was in a lot of pain, and showing symptoms of bowel cancer. Six to eight months after not doing the FIT, he was diagnosed with stage three bowel cancer.

If you are sent a FIT kit, you can complete the test in your own bathroom, next time you poo. Simply follow the step-by-step instructions to:

  • collect one tiny sample of poo, using the plastic stick
  • pop it in the sample bottle
  • post it for free to be tested

The test works by checking for tiny traces of blood – not always visible to the naked eye. If something is found, you will be invited for further tests, usually at a hospital.

Dr Dan Cottingham, Cancer Research UK GP Lead for Humber and North Yorkshire Cancer Alliance, said: “Nine out of 10 new cases of bowel cancer are diagnosed in people over the age of 50, and the earlier it’s treated, the more likely you are to be treated successfully. That’s why it’s so important you don’t ignore the FIT kit when it arrives in the post.

“Don’t flush away that chance of early detection – it’s the most important job you can do for your loved ones.”

Early detection increases your chance of surviving bowel cancer, so knowing what symptoms to look out for is important.

Contact your GP if you have any of these bowel cancer symptoms:

  • changes in your poo, such as having softer poo, diarrhoea or constipation
  • needing to poo more or less often than usual
  • red or black blood in your poo
  • bleeding from your bottom
  • often feeling like you need to poo, even if you’ve just had one
  • tummy pain
  • a lump in your tummy
  • bloating
  • losing weight without trying
  • feeling very tired

Bowel cancer awareness will be spread across the Cancer Alliance’s social media channels too, using the hashtag #flushawaybowelcancer. Follow the Cancer Alliance on Facebook and X (formerly Twitter) to help share their messages.

If you or a loved one needs information on, or support for bowel cancer, visit the Cancer Alliance website to be signposted to local bowel cancer support groups.

Visit the Cancer Alliance’s Bowel Cancer Awareness Month webpage to find out more.

Mar 21

Cancer Alliance stakeholder newsletter – March 2024

By Announcements

Click here to read the latest edition of Humber and North Yorkshire Cancer Alliance’s stakeholder newsletter.

This edition includes updates on:

  • KPOW! (Know the Power of Words) a Cancer Alliance-funded film
  • Cancer Champions training provided to asylum seekers
  • NHS Targeted Lung Health Check Withernsea unit visit from East Riding MP
  • The Cancer Alliance’s Health Inequalities Strategy
  • And much, much more!
Jan 01

Take three simple steps to reduce your cervical cancer risk during January’s Cervical Cancer Awareness Month

By Announcements, Awareness and Early Diagnosis

Women and people with a cervix are being encouraged to take three easy steps to significantly reduce their risk of developing cervical cancer, as part of Humber and North Yorkshire Cancer Alliance’s #PreventCervicalCancer campaign.

January is Cervical Cancer Awareness Month and the Cancer Alliance is urging people to adopt a few simple measures to reduce their risk of cervical cancer – which kills around 853 people in the UK each year.

It is estimated that one in 142 females or people with a cervix will be diagnosed with cervical cancer in their lifetime. But with almost all (98.8%) cervical cancer cases being preventable, you can reduce your risk by following these steps.

  1. Attend your cervical screening appointment and get vaccinated against Human papillomavirus (HPV)

Cervical screening, also known as a smear test, is a test to prevent cancer. It looks for conditions that may lead to cervical cancer, which can be detected years before cancer develops.

Cervical screening and HPV vaccination are the best ways to protect yourself from cervical cancer.

The cervical screening appointment takes no more than 10 minutes and the test itself is over in a matter of minutes. All children aged 12 to 13 are offered the HPV vaccine, which helps to protect against all cancers caused by HPV.

Women and peopled with a cervix aged between 25 and 64 are invited for screening every three or five years (depending on your age) but one in three people invited to a cervical screening appointment do not take up the offer.

Cervical screening can sound daunting to some people but there really is no need to worry.

You can also visit the Let’s Talk Cervical Screening website from partners across Humber and North Yorkshire.

If you have reservations about taking up your cervical screening offer, watch this video from Meg Long, a 28-year-old mum of twins from Hull.

  1. Be clued up about cervical cancer

Early detection increases your chances of surviving cervical cancer so knowing what symptoms to look out for is important.

Symptoms of cervical cancer include:

  • Vaginal bleeding that’s unusual for you – including bleeding during or after sex, between your periods or after the menopause, or having heavier periods than usual
  • Changes to your vaginal discharge
  • Pain during sex
  • Pain in your lower back, between your hip bones (pelvis), or in your lower stomach.

The Cancer Alliance’s Cancer Champions programme is running bite-sized cervical cancer education sessions during January to raise about cervical cancer and the steps you can take to reduce your risk.

These 30-minute sessions are fun, interactive and equip attendees with vital information about cervical cancer prevention. Click on the link above to book your place on one of these sessions or to find out more.

  1. Spread the word about cervical cancer to raise awareness

The Cancer Alliance will be spreading the word about cervical cancer across many channels throughout January using the hashtag #PreventCervicalCancer, including its website, Facebook and X (formerly Twitter) channels.

You can show your support for the campaign by sharing the Cancer Alliance’s posts on your social media channels.

Share the below video from York GP Dr Sam Plummer about what to expect at your cervical screening appointment, to encourage eligible people to book theirs.

Find out more about how you can support the Cancer Alliance’s #PreventCervicalCancer campaign by visiting our website: https://hnycanceralliance.org.uk/cervicalcancer.

Throughout January, Cancer Alliance colleagues and partners will be out in the community to spread awareness about cervical cancer symptoms and preventative measures.

We will be visiting supermarkets, leisure centres and other community spaces to have conversations with members of the public about cervical cancer, giving away leaflets, information cards and lots more in the process.

Dr Dan Cottingham, Cancer Research UK GP Lead for Humber and North Yorkshire Cancer Alliance, said: “Cervical cancer is the most preventable cancer so it is recommended that you attend your cervical screening appointment if you are invited – it takes just 10 minutes to complete and could end up saving your life.

“It is important to raise awareness about the symptoms of cervical cancer so it is really pleasing that the Cancer Alliance is offering these 30-minute, bitesize awareness sessions; and will also be out in the community to spread the word about cervical cancer prevention at supermarkets, leisure centres and other community spaces.

“We need the public’s support to ensure all women and people with a cervix are equipped with the knowledge to reduce their risk of developing so please spread the word across social media and other channels using the hashtag #PreventCervicalCancer.”

Visit the Cancer Alliance’s Cervical Cancer Awareness Month webpage to find out more.

Dec 15

Cancer Alliance stakeholder newsletter – December 2023

By Announcements

Click here to read the latest edition of Humber and North Yorkshire Cancer Alliance’s stakeholder newsletter.

This edition includes updates on:

  • Simon Morritt’s appointment as Chair
  • Lung Health Checks rollout in East Riding of Yorkshire
  • The Cancer Alliance’s new patient and public engagement strategy
  • Our Lung Cancer Awareness Month collaboration with Roy Castle Lung Cancer Foundation and NHS England
  • Improving the experience of cancer patients with pre-existing mental health conditions
  • And much, much more!
Nov 22

Simon Morritt appointed as new Chair of the Humber and North Yorkshire Cancer Alliance

By Announcements

Humber and North Yorkshire Cancer Alliance is pleased to announce the appointment of Simon Morritt as its new Chair.

Simon takes up the role immediately and will manage his Cancer Alliance responsibilities alongside his day-to-day duties as Chief Executive of York and Scarborough Teaching Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust.

He succeeds Stephen Eames CBE as Chair of the Cancer Alliance. Stephen has served as the Cancer Alliance’s Chair since the start of this year alongside his role as Chief Executive of the Humber and North Yorkshire Integrated Care Board.

As Chair, Simon will oversee the work of the Cancer Alliance and provide leadership on the key issues affecting cancer services in the Humber and North Yorkshire area. He will chair the Cancer Alliance’s monthly System Board meetings.

Chair of the Cancer Alliance, Simon Morritt

Simon has served as Chief Executive of York and Scarborough Teaching Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust since 2019. Prior to that, Simon was Chief Executive of Chesterfield Royal Hospital NHS Foundation Trust.

Commenting on his appointment, Simon said: “I am pleased to join the Cancer Alliance as Chair. I am really looking forward to working with a wide variety of people across the Cancer Alliance to improve outcomes for cancer patients and their families.

“There’s plenty of work to do to address the issues affecting cancer services in our area and I’m looking forward to working in partnership to find innovative ways to overcome these issues.”

Lucy Turner, Managing Director of the Cancer Alliance, added: “We are delighted to welcome Simon to the Cancer Alliance. As Chief Executive of one of the trusts responsible for providing cancer services in Humber and North Yorkshire, he will bring fresh impetus to the Cancer Alliance as it continues its mission to transform the diagnosis, treatment and care for cancer patients in our area.

“I also want to thank Stephen for his contributions to the Cancer Alliance over the past 12 months.”

For more information about the work of the Cancer Alliance please click here.

Nov 14

2022 U16 Cancer Patient Experience Survey results published

By Announcements, Personalised Care, Treatment and Pathways

The 2022 under-16 Cancer Patient Experience Survey (U16 CPES) results have been published. Click here to view the results.

The annual national survey, now in its third year, measures children’s cancer and tumour care provided by the NHS in England.

The survey was developed to better understand children and young people’s experience of cancer, which is one of the commitments of the NHS Long Term Plan.

The 2022 survey was completed by 885 patients and parents or carers across England – a response rate of 25%. A response consists of one survey completion for a single patient, which could consist of both parent and child responses.

Children from Humber and North Yorkshire usually receive cancer care at Leeds Teaching Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust or Sheffield Children’s NHS Foundation Trust.

Some of the national findings from the report include:

  • 75% of children aged 8-15 reported that they were looked after very well for their cancer or tumour by healthcare staff, compared to 77% in 2021.
  • 89% of parents/carers rated the overall experience of their child’s care as 8 or more (out of 10), compared to 89% in 2021.
  • Parents/carers gave a mean rating of 8.99 for the overall experience of their child’s care, compared to 9.01 in 2021.
  • Parents/carers of children who were in remission or long term follow up reported a higher score (9.17) than parents/carers of children who were recently diagnosed (8.33), in watch and wait (8.69) and currently receiving treatment (8.89).
  • Overall experience scores varied from 8.86 for parents/carers of children living in the least deprived areas in England compared to 9.08 for the parents/carers of children living in the second and third indices of multiple deprivation (IMD) quintiles, 9.03 for parents/carers of children living in the most deprived areas of England, and 9.40 for parents/carers of children living outside of England.

The survey’s respondents are children who were aged between eight and 15 at the point of discharge, and parents or carers of children aged up to 15.

The publication of the under-16 results comes four months after the adult CPES results were published in July.

Nov 08
Lung health check unit

An NHS service offering potentially life-saving lung health checks has launched in East Riding of Yorkshire

By Announcements, Awareness and Early Diagnosis, Lung Health Checks

Around 350 past and current smokers in the Withernsea area have become the first people in the East Riding of Yorkshire to take up the offer of a free NHS Lung Health Check.

lung health check unit

Mobile lung health check unit

A lung health check can help to identify lung cancer and other respiratory diseases early, often before symptoms have occurred and when treatment could be simpler and more successful.

Current and former smokers, aged between 55 and 74, who are registered with Holderness Health or Eastgate Medical Group and live in Withernsea, Grimston, Welwick, Albrough, Fitling, Skeffling, Hilston, Easington, Ottringham, Roos, Winestead, Kilnsea, Flinton, Patrington, Patrington Haven, Weeton, Owstwick, Sunk Island, Tunstall, or Holmpton, are being invited to book a telephone assessment with a respiratory nurse.

Following the assessment, some participants will be invited for a low dose CT scan onboard a high-tech mobile unit, which arrived at Withernsea Leisure Centre on Wednesday, 8th November 2023.

It is expected that 40,000 eligible participants living in the East Riding of Yorkshire will be invited for a lung health check as the mobile unit moves around the region in phases.

Dr Tami Byass, a GP at Eastgate Medical Group in Hornsea, said: “I welcome the news of lung health checks starting to invite eligible patients in the East Riding of Yorkshire.

“Lung cancer can often be difficult to detect in its earliest stages, as there are less noticeable symptoms until stages three or four, so I would urge anyone invited to take up the opportunity of a free lung health check – even if you feel fine.

“If you are worried about symptoms of cancer, such as a cough for three weeks or more, please contact your GP as opposed to waiting for a lung health check invitation.”

Dr Kanwal Tariq, Consultant in Chest Medicine at Hull University Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust said: “Anyone invited for a CT scan as part of their lung health check can be assured that it is a quick and painless procedure, which can help us spot any potential issues early.

Withernsea Leisure Centre

Participants will be invited for a low dose CT scan onboard a mobile unit, at Withernsea Leisure Centre

“Early detection of lung cancer and other respiratory diseases can make a world of difference in the effectiveness of treatment. The lung health checks could be a lifeline for some people.”

Dr Stuart Baugh, Programme Director for NHS Targeted Lung Health Checks in Humber and North Yorkshire, said: “This service is a vital step towards better outcomes for people at highest risk of respiratory diseases. Not only does it help to provide most people with reassurance that their lungs are currently healthy, but it also supports people to stop smoking, if they wish to do so.

“Quitting smoking is the best way to prevent lung cancer and referrals to stop smoking services by the lung health check service has already provided many people with the support needed to quit.

“The NHS Targeted Lung Health Check programme was first launched in Hull in January 2020, and then in North East Lincolnshire in January 2023. Around 17,500 telephone assessments have been carried out so far, and we look forward to seeing even more people benefit from the service as eligible participants in the East Riding of Yorkshire take up their invitations. It is expected that the service will be available in all parts of Humber and North Yorkshire by 2028/29.”

Find out more about lung health checks in East Yorkshire at www.lunghealthcheck.org.uk.

Oct 05
Cancer alliance annual conference

Humber and North Yorkshire Cancer Alliance hosts annual conference

By Announcements

On Thursday, 21st September 2023, Humber and North Yorkshire Cancer Alliance was pleased to host its annual conference at MKM Stadium in Hull.

The conference celebrated the work that is taking place across the Humber and North Yorkshire area to improve the diagnosis, treatment, and care for cancer patients.

One hundred and forty-four people attended the event, with representation from primary and secondary care, NHS England, patient representatives, cancer charities, and third-party organisations.

The event consisted of presentations which showcased achievements such as: the continued delivery of NHS Targeted Lung Health Checks, the implementation of faecal immunochemical testing (FIT) in primary care, the introduction of non-symptom specific pathways, and the impact of free Cancer Champions awareness sessions.

Among the speakers was David Fitzgerald, Programme Director for NHS England’s Cancer Programme, who provided an overview of the NHS Long Term Plan for cancer and highlighted the progress made so far. 

(left to right) Zoe Bounds, Dr Dan Cottingham, Allyson Kent, Dr Lucy Gossage

Delegates also heard from Lucy Gossage, who is an oncologist and co-founder of 5k Your Way. 5k Your Way encourages people affected by cancer to take part in a local parkrun. The benefits of being active was a key theme that ran throughout the annual conference, and Lucy noted it is one of the few things people with a cancer diagnosis can do to make them feel better, reduce their fatigue and hopefully help them live longer.

Lucy Turner, Managing Director for Humber and North Yorkshire Cancer Alliance, said: “The conference provided the perfect platform for us to not only celebrate the work that has taken place, but also to challenge and inspire us to achieve more.

“Our focus throughout the day was on improving outcomes for patients and it was great to welcome two of the Cancer Alliance’s patient representatives as speakers at the event. Simon Maddocks and Allyson Kent kindly shared their own experiences of cancer, whilst highlighting the importance of involving people affected by cancer when working to improve services. 

“For me, the take home message was to ‘remember your why’. As a Cancer Alliance, our why is to improve outcomes for patients with cancer and we will continue to work with our partners, and people affected by cancer, to transform diagnosis, treatment and care locally.” 

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