Logicalis

Logicalis Delivers Video Solution To Aid NHS Cancer Plan

The Client

Established in 2000, the NHS Cancer Plan set out a comprehensive strategy to implement a major programme of action linking prevention, diagnosis, treatment care and research. In response, regional 'Cancer Networks' were created to link local hospitals, specialist Cancer Units and Community Care professionals with the specific 'aim to improve the experience and outcome of care for people with suspected or diagnosed cancer by improving the way in which care is delivered'.

In January 2001, the West Anglia Cancer Network was formed to work with patients, health professionals and managers to help implement the NHS Cancer Plan. This Network covers a population of 1.5 million, and links together three Health Authorities, 12 Primary Care Trusts and seven hospitals. West Anglia Cancer Network is one of the largest of its kind in the UK.

The Problem

Within each Cancer Network a Multi-Disciplinary Team (MDT), consisting of medical professionals from across the region, is appointed to ensure individual patient care is continually evaluated, and standards of service maintained and improved.

This is achieved through regular meetings at sites within the Cancer Network, allowing patient diagnosis, care, referrals, and treatment to be reviewed. However, the vast geographical spread of the West Anglia Cancer Network meant these meetings were infrequent, time-consuming and slow to address critical patient care.

In Spring 2001, the West Anglia Cancer Network, working with Cambridge eScience established to support and develop high-performance computing solutions in the Cambridge region - identified that the provision of high-quality videoconferencing facilities would help address these issues and ensure regular communication and the sharing of expertise across the region.

The Solution

Once West Anglia Cancer Network and Cambridge eScience identified an operational requirement for the provision of videoconferencing, Logicalis was approached in order to help address the following objectives:

• Link-up the seven hospitals within the West Anglia Cancer Network
• Deliver a high-performance, secure videoconferencing system that would facilitate the MDTs expertise and continue to deliver the highest standards of patient care
• Enable high-quality images to be transmitted routinely to support clinical decisions

In order to determine and then specify the most appropriate solution, Logicalis conducted a series of on-site demonstrations. This highlighted the speed and quality of resolution available, particularly in reference to the transmission of radiology and pathology images. Following a series of controlled tests, Logicalis proposed a Tandberg-based videoconferencing solution.

Integrated into West Anglia Cancer Networks seven hospitals, the Tandberg system is operated over ISDN and includes a Multi-Site Bridge to enable simultaneous link-up across each of the seven sites. A key feature of the Tandberg system is its on-board encryption facility whilst in use over ISDN. This is essential for maintaining data and image confidentiality, especially when discussing sensitive patient case history and was a core factor in the choice of technologies.

The Outcome

Piers Grace, Director of the West Anglia Cancer Network, is delighted with the results and the change in work-style that the solution has facilitated:

'The use of videoconferencing has significantly increased communications and the sharing of expertise across the region. Not only is the patient benefiting from faster referrals, diagnosis and treatment decisions, but those involved in the MDT meetings are far more aware of each others experiences and are using these to better their own knowledge. Patients and staff have access to medical experts whenever and wherever'.

Adding, 'So successful has it been, that the videoconferencing solution has since been rolled out to Mount Vernon Cancer Network, covering the area of North London, and a national roll-out plan based on the model submitted to the NHS Cancer Plan'.

Since installing this solution for the West Anglia Cancer Network, Logicalis has supplied similar solutions for the Mid Anglia Cancer Network and Kent & Medway Cancer Network in addition to Mount Vernon as mentioned above. These four Cancer Networks combined equate to Logicalis installations in over 20 hospitals.