Programme managers

In August 2005 the National Institute for Clinical Excellence (NICE) Children’s and Young People’s Improving Outcomes Guidance (CYPIOG) was published and made recommendations for the treatment and care of teenagers and young adults with cancer, aged 16 to 24 years.

The underpinning principle evidenced in the Improving Outcomes Guidance (IOG) is the requirement that all young people should be offered care in a specialist teenage and young adult multi-disciplinary team. It also states that this age group should have access to "age appropriate, safe and effective care as locally as possible,” as well as recognising the crucial role psychosocial support has to play in patients at this life stage.

These principles of the CYPIOG are also central to the philosophy of Teenage Cancer Trust and in discussions between the National Implementation Group (co-chaired by Mike Richards), and trustees of Teenage Cancer Trust, significant challenges were identified for commissioners and providers in implementing this IOG. It was agreed that a joint approach was required, and the Programme Manager’s role was identified and later established.

Working across NHS boundaries

Eight Programme managers have been appointed for a two-year period. This is the first time Teenage Cancer Trust has funded non-clinical roles. We are keen to work across NHS boundaries, incorporating expertise from the third sector in establishing services that meet the specific needs of young people.

Programme managers are either placed within Specialised Commissioning Groups (SCGs) or Cancer Networks, but are required to function across both boundaries. The aim of the role is to deliver the CYPIOG as it relates to teenagers and young adults, supported by respective local health economies and Teenage Cancer Trust. With close working relationships established to facilitate a partnership approach, Programme Managers are required to develop an agreed strategic plan (Implementation summary) for service development and lead its implementation and delivery to achieve IOG compliant services for the teenage and young adult element of the IOG by 2011.

The first stage of the process involved each Programme manager submitting an Implementation summary for their locality to the Cancer Action Team on behalf of local commissioners, providers and stakeholders. Once each plan is agreed the second stage is to develop a detailed project implementation plan, which will align with previously identified IOG key deliverables. These are specific to the CYPIOG and will also be measured through the national peer review process.

There is scope for many interdependent projects to be happening at any one time and these will need to be managed effectively. It is also crucial that any identified future investment to support implementation informs local commissioning and planning intentions. The third stage is the implementation of the plans – developing dedicated units, young people multi-disciplinary teams; defining effective patient care pathways; and establishing shared care protocols.

As well as the support from our host organisations, Teenage Cancer Trust funds facilitated quarterly meetings for Programme managers to receive group coaching; share experience and ideas; problem solve; identify key themes for group discussion and provide a mechanism for us to feedback to Teenage Cancer Trust and the national team.