The updated radiotherapy specification documents include adult external beam radiotherapy services and operational delivery networks.
Charlotte Beardmore, the Society’s director of professional policy, said, “The new specifications should streamline care and enable access to high-quality treatments for patients.
“It should offer more access to clinical trials, offer the opportunity for standardised protocol implementation and, for patients with rarer cancers, the goal is to offer required subspecialist expertise.”
The publishing of the specifications follow a three-month public consultation, to which NHS England published a formal response to the key themes raised.
During 2019, 11 Radiotherapy Operational Delivery Networks are scheduled to be set-up across England. The role of each network is to co-ordinate the development and improvement of radiotherapy services at pace and scale.
Charlotte continued, “However, the SoR is keen to highlight that to achieve effective network ‘working’, investment in resources will be required - investment in IT and radiotherapy planning facilities will be essential.
“Importantly, the network configuration also offers an opportunity to think about workforce transformation, in line with our policy.
“For the therapeutic radiography profession, we see the value of new roles at advanced and consultant level being integral components in supporting network delivery.”
A letter is being sent to trust chief executives and medical directors advising them of the publishing of the new specifications.
Adult External Beam Radiotherapy Services Delivered as Part of a Radiotherapy Network specification
Operational Delivery Networks for Adult External Beam Radiotherapy Services specification