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Announcements

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

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.” 

Sep 18

NHS Urges People In Humber and North Yorkshire To Come Forward for Life Saving Cancer Checks

By Announcements, Awareness and Early Diagnosis

People in Humber and North Yorkshire who have had a cough for three weeks or more are being encouraged to contact their GP practice and come forward for lifesaving checks as part of an NHS campaign.

The ‘Help Us, Help You’ campaign from NHS England uses TV, radio and online adverts, and social media to increase knowledge of the key symptom of lung cancer.

The ads feature people with a persistent cough and aim to encourage people experiencing this to contact their GP practice.

One of the campaign ads that is raising awareness of early signs of lung cancer

NHS data shows that more than 4,258 people in Humber and North Yorkshire are diagnosed with lung cancer each year.

Dr Dan Cottingham, Cancer Research UK GP Lead for Humber and North Yorkshire Cancer Alliance, said: “A cough is a common symptom for many things, but when you have a cough that doesn’t go away after three weeks or more, it could be a sign of cancer.

“This campaign aims to remind people with a long standing cough and their loved ones not to be complacent, and encourages them t o get checked out. It’s likely nothing to be too worried about, but if it does turn out to be cancer the earlier it is diagnosed, the easier it is to treat.

“Whenever anyone notices anything unusual for their bodies that they are worried could be cancer, it’s vital that they take action by contacting their GP practice.”

In addition to the symptom of a cough for three weeks or more, other symptoms of lung cancer include:
• Chest infections that keep coming back
• Coughing up blood
• A long standing cough that gets worse
• An ache or pain when breathing or coughing
• Persistent breathlessness
• Persistent tiredness or lack of energy
• Loss of appetite or unexplained weight loss

For more information on cancer signs and symptoms go to nhs.uk/cancersymptoms.

Jul 20

Cancer Alliance welcomes 2022 Cancer Patient Experience Survey results

By Announcements, Personalised Care

Humber and North Yorkshire Cancer Alliance welcomes the publication of the 2022 Cancer Patient Experience Survey (CPES) results.

Now in its 14th year, the CPES results help organisations that commission and provide cancer services to understand what aspects of cancer services are working well and identify areas for improvement.

The NHS survey asks questions such as how and when the cancer was diagnosed, how involved patients felt in decisions about their care and treatment and how much information and support they were given.

The 2022 CPES survey was completed by 1,994 patients in Humber and North Yorkshire, equating to a response rate of 57%. Nationally, the survey was completed by 61,268 people (53% response rate).

The Humber and North Yorkshire Cancer Alliance-area CPES results can be viewed here.

The areas for improvement identified in the 2022 survey across the Humber and North Yorkshire area include:

  • Ensuring patients have a main point of contact within care teams
  • Explaining a cancer diagnosis in a way that patients can completely understand

CPES results are available at trust, Integrated Care System, Cancer Alliance and national level. They can be viewed here.

Lucy Turner, Managing Director, Humber and North Yorkshire Cancer Alliance, said: “Humber and North Yorkshire Cancer Alliance welcomes the results of the 2022 national Cancer Patient Experience Survey. There are some encouraging results for our region and also results which identify areas of cancer care which we can improve upon.

“Once the results have been analysed, we will work with our Cancer Alliance partner organisations, including hospital trusts which provide cancer services in our region, to co-develop and implement improvement plans based on the results of this year’s survey.”

Find out more about the survey by visiting the CPES website.

Jun 27

Cancer Alliance welcomes lung screening announcement

By Announcements, Awareness and Early Diagnosis, Lung Health Checks

Humber and North Yorkshire Cancer Alliance welcomes the Department of Health and Social Care announcement (Monday, 26th June 2023) that a national targeted lung cancer screening programme will be introduced in the coming years, following the successful delivery of the NHS Targeted Lung Health Check Programme in some parts of the country in recent years.

In Humber and North Yorkshire, the NHS Targeted Lung Health Check Programme has already been established in Hull (early 2020) and North East Lincolnshire (early 2023). There are plans to introduce the service in North Lincolnshire in early 2024 and it is expected that the service will be available in all parts of our region by 2028/29.

Lung cancer prevention is one of the Cancer Alliance’s top priorities – as we have several areas in our region where smoking prevalence is well above the national average. Early detection of lung cancer is key – because often lung cancer is symptomless until it is at an advanced stage.

Click here to view the Department for Health and Social Care’s announcement.

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