Non-surgical oncology
Non-surgical oncology is the name given to services that provide treatment for cancer without surgery - mainly radiotherapy and systemic anti-cancer treatment, formerly referred to as chemotherapy.
In Humber and North Yorkshire, non-surgical oncology (NSO) services face growing demand and workforce challenges. We are working to develop sustainable and standardised care models to improve service delivery and patient outcomes across the region.
Non-surgical oncology is the name given to services that provide treatment for cancer without surgery - mainly radiotherapy and systemic anti-cancer treatment, formerly referred to as chemotherapy.
Systemic Anti-Cancer Treatment (SACT)
SACT is any drug treatment used to control or treat cancer. Drug types include: chemotherapy, immunotherapy, targeted therapy, hormonal therapy or any combination of these.

Radiotherapy
Radiotherapy is the use of controlled doses of radiation to treat people with cancer.
It can be delivered through external beam, implants, injections or intrateam.
It aims to cure cancer, reduce recurrence risk after surgery or relieve symptoms if a cure is not possible.
Challenges
The delivery of NSO services is challenging for a number of reasons because:

Radiotherapy networks
Radiotherapy networks (ODNs) across England collaborate to deliver modern radiotherapy services to patients.
The Yorkshire and Humber ODN, made up of Hull University Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust, Leeds Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust and Sheffield Teaching Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, work together with the aim of identifying innovative solutions to some of the challenges faced in radiotherapy, particularly workforce issues.
They also focus on sharing best practices to improve patient outcomes, such as higher cure rates and fewer side effects.
NSO Clinical Delivery Group
The Humber and North Yorkshire Cancer Alliance has an established Non-Surgical Oncology Clinical Delivery Group (CDG) that brings together experts to advise on best practices, review evidence and performance, and drive forward change and improvements.
The CDG’s goals are to ensure equitable, high-quality care, meet national priorities, address local challenges, and identify and promote innovation and collaboration across the Integrated Care Systems (ICS).


SACT capacity demand and evaluation
In Humber and North Yorkshire, oncology departments face growing demand for SACT, which is expected to increase by 6-8% annually.
This is driven by factors such as an ageing population, higher cancer incidence, new drug approvals, longer treatment durations and improved survival rates.
The NSO programme is conducting a comprehensive evaluation of SACT capacity and demand across the region with trusts and alliances to plan for future needs, including workforce and facility capacity.