What it is doing to ensure that men receive coordinated follow-up care, monitoring and advice following prostate cancer surgery and treatme…

Cancer remains a top clinical priority for Scottish Government. Our cancer policy is generic in that its aims to improve cancer services for all regardless of cancer type or whether a primary or secondary diagnosis. Better cancer Care, published in 2008, outlined the Scottish Governments commitment to address issues around cancer prevention, screening, early detection of cancer, referral and diagnosis, treatment, living with cancer, improving the quality of cancer care and service delivery. Further work is currently being undertaken by the Scottish Cancer Taskforce to improve the awareness of early cancer symptoms amongst both members of the public and the medical community. This awareness raising work forms part of the taskforce’s 2011-14 work plan.
Whilst the cancer plan is generic the National Cancer Quality Steering Group (NCQSG), a sub group of the Scottish Cancer Taskforce, has a programme of work to develop quality performance indicators (QPIs) for all cancer types. Prostate cancer QPIs are one of the first cancers to be addressed in this programme of work, with QPIs being published later this year.
Whilst the Scottish Government and other organisations provide policies, frameworks and guidance for the health service, it is the responsibility of NHS boards and the clinician caring for the patient to provide a co-ordinated package of care. This should be tailored to an individuals needs following surgery for prostate cancer.