NCCP Key Achievements

2017

• Developed nationally agreed standardised SACT nursing documentation. Click here for more information
• Publication of NCCP Guidance on Biosimilars in Cancer Treatment, riTUXimab Infusion rates, the use of TallMan lettering
• Instituted direct ordering of BRCA testing by medical oncologists
• Extended the national chemotherapy regimens to include oral anti-cancer medicines 
• Publication of national clinical guideline on lung cancer
• Publication of NCCP Guidance on the retention and disposal of Systemic AntiCancer Therapy (SACT) prescriptions and compounding worksheets for more info click: NCCP Guidance on the retention and disposal of Systemic AntiCancer (SACT)
• Publication of NCCP Capacity Planning for parenteral Systemic AntiCancer Therapy (SACT) for more info click: NCCP Capacity Planning for parenteral Systemic AntiCancer (SACT)
• Completion of Evidence into practice – a rapid review. Systemic anticancer therapy of patients with metastatic melanoma.
• Commencement of a train the trainer programme to enhance communication in cancer care in acute hospital in conjunction with the Irish Hospice Foundation. click here for publication 
• Implementation of an inter-hospital referral pathway for pancreatic cancer Inter-hospital Pancreatic Cancer Referral 
• Publication of Information for men on sexual wellbeing after pelvic cancer treatment
• Cancer Nursing Education Programme for nurses in an in-patient setting - 3 day programme.
• The NCCP Evaluation of the National Cancer Education Programme.
• Commenced development of the NCCP Cancer Prevention and Early Detection Function
• The NCCP Cancer Prevention and Early Detection Function partnered with HSE Alcohol Programme, co-ordinating a range of community partners to deliver EU Action on Alcohol National Awareness week to increase public knowledge of the link between alcohol and cancer EU Action on Alcohol Week 20 - 24 Nov 17 Evaluation
• The NCCP began the roll out of the NCCP HealthAtlas Portal, a web-based development that enables hospitals and the NCCP to have comprehensive oversight of all cancer key performance indicators (KPIs) in a timely manner.  The portal facilitates secure communication between hospitals and the NCCP and is designed to record the current KPIs for 6 tumour sites – breast, lung, prostate, rectal, upper gastrointestinal and pancreatic tumours.   It will assist hospitals in monitoring the quality of their cancer services and will benchmark progress against national data in real time.

2016

• Procurement process of national Medical Oncology Clinical Information System (MOCIS)
• NCCP Guidance on Dose Banding for Systemic AntiCancer Therapy (SACT)
• Development of a GP Ovarian Cancer Referral Guideline and Referral Form GP Ovarian Cancer Referral Guideline and Form
• Development of a cancer education programme for nurses in non-specialist oncology roles Cancer Education Programme for Nurses

2015

• Publication of the NCCP's 7-year review of the implementation of the 2006 Cancer Strategy A Strategy for Cancer Control in Ireland
• Approval from Government CIO of business case to proceed with national Medical Oncology Clinical Information System (MOCIS)
• Publication of the NCCP Guidance on the Safe Use of Intrathecal Chemotherapy in the Treatment of Cancer and Guidance on the Safe Use of Neurotoxic Drugs (including Vinca Alkaloids) in the Treatment of Cancer
• Publication of national clinical guideline on gestational trophoblastic disease
• The development of national treatment protocols for cancer drugs
• Publication of the National Competency Framework for Pharmacists working in Cancer Care
• Prevention of clinical lymphoedema booklet Prevention of clinical lymphoedema
• Development of smoking cessation pharmacotherapy algorithm Smoking Cessation 
• Developed advice for Head & Neck Cancer Referral in Primary Care. 

2014

• Introduction of extracranial stereotactic radiotherapy service
• Publication of Oncology Medication Safety Review Report
• Completion of evidence-based Breast and Prostate Cancer Guidelines
• Developed a three day cancer education programme for non specialist oncology nurses in acute care. This course covers cancer prevention, referral and patient pathway, survivorship and post-acute care including palliative care. 
• Submission paper to the Department of Health which contributed to the introduction of the Public Health ( Sunbeds) Act 2014. Participated on the Department of Health's Sunbeds Communications Group to promote the dangers associated with sunbed use. click Sunbeds Act 2014 for more information 

2013

• Commenced the development of national protocols for a range of cancer drugs
• Extended the provision of brachytherapy from one to three centres nationally
• Breast Check completed the 2^nd round of national screening
• Cervical Check completed the 2^nd round of national screening
• Introduction of intracranial stereotactic radiotherapy service
• Evaluation of the Community Oncology Nursing Programme
• Establishment of an annual nursing grant with the Health Research Board enabling nurses to carry out research in cancer care

2012

• CervicalCheck introduced HPV testing for women treated at colposcopy
• Commencement of BowelCheck, the national screening programme for colorectal cancer
• Secured funding for newly approved haematology and medical oncology drugs, and funding to address the budgetary pressure associated with increased costs of oncology drugs already approved
• Publication of "A Strategy and Educational Framework for Nurses Caring for People With Cancer in Ireland": National Cancer Control Programme in partnership with the HSE Office of the Nursing and Midwifery Services Director
• Publication of A Strategy and Educational Framework for Nurses Caring for People With Cancer in Ireland in partnership with the HSE Office of the Nursing and Midwifery Services Director

2011-2012

• Developed a national programme for oesophageal cancer in one national centre with three satellites
• Opened new radiation oncology units at Beaumont Hospital and St. James’ Hospital Dublin

2011

• CervicalCheck completed first round of cervical screening programme
• BreastCheck completed first round of screening in South and West
• Centralisation of all lung cancer surgery in four designated cancer  centres
• Developed a single national programme for the management of brain and other central nervous system tumours operating on two sites

2010

• Established a national centre for pancreatic cancer operating on two sites

2010-ongoing

• Developed electronic cancer referral for breast, prostate and lung cancer in collaboration with a broad range of stakeholders. This is now being extended to include pigmented lesion referral as part of the national electronic referral project. 

2009-ongoing

• Developed and implemented a training programme for nurses who work in primary care. This course covers cancer prevention, referral and patient assessment, treatment and post-acute care

• Provided information sessions to Primary Care (GP and practice nurse) for its screening and symptomatic services;  provided free training programmes for smear-takers as part of its Cervical-check programme

2009-2013

• Developed a Community Oncology Nurse Programme, a skills-based programme to integrate medical oncology care between acute hospital and community settings. This programme has been delivered in four out of the six hospital groups. 
• A Policy, Procedure and Resource book was developed to give guidance to nurses to meet the needs of these patients. click here for publication. 
• Collaboration with the HSE Tobacco Control Implementation Framework group, including e-learning in smoking cessation for GPs and allied health professionals and development of a national pharmacotherapy smoking cessation algorithm. 
• Developed educational materials for health professionals, including health & neck cancer referral, lymphoedema prevention, breast follow up and smoking cessation. 

2009-2012

• Developed national GP referral guidelines and standard referral forms for breast, lung, and prostate cancers, and pigmented lesions

2009-2010

• Establishment of  Rapid Access Clinics for patients strongly suspected of having prostate cancer or lung cancer in all eight designated cancer centres

2007-2009

• Reorganisation of  symptomatic breast cancer diagnostic and surgical services into the eight cancer centres (with a satellite from the Galway Cancer Centre at Letterkenny General Hospital)

2007

• The NCCP is established

2006

• Publication of the second national cancer strategy, A Strategy for Cancer Control in Ireland