NHS

Is NHS Underperforming In Cancer Services?

Table of Contents

Introduction1

Discussion3

History of Cancer in England4

NHS and Cancer7

Cancer Services by NHS9

Pace of Services Lagging Behind in NHS12

Informed Choice for Health Screening14

Informing Healthier Choices15

Tensions between Informed Choice and Public Health Policies16

Role of NHS in Cancer Services17

Quality Improvement18

Strategy18

Implementation19

Importance to Public and Government20

Conclusion21

References23

Is NHS Underperforming In Cancer Services?

Introduction

NHS (National Health Service) is a primary care taker of patients. It undertakes some incredible interventions to treat patients with a broad range of diseases and conditions. The technology is changing rapidly, extending the range of treatments available, saving and improving lives from the time of birth to old age (Department of Health 2006). The funding decisions are based on factors that whether to fund treatments for people is based in critical analysis of the situation of patients and the requirement of treatment.

The following services are performed by practitioners as shaped by the relationship among the team of NHS (NHS Management Executive, 1993):

Recognition of the health care need of the patient. Practitioners should be able to gather relevant information. They must effectively gather information, which is relevant for the care of patients with critical or non-critical conditions.

Practitioners must be trained in order to use appropriate assessment methods. They must be able to undertake and record a thorough, sensitive and thorough assessment, with the use of appropriate methods and equipments.

Practitioners must be able to undertake or arrange clinical investigations when required.

Practitioners should have enough knowledge to analyze and evaluate all the information collected by them. Also, they must be able to plan and provide strategies for meeting health and social care needs.

It is widely accepted that the nature of treatment of the patient and the relationship between patients and doctors have changed, and now both parties are viewed as partners in the process of decision-making. In other words, healthcare of a patient is a two-way method and the patient has the right to expect high-quality care, which represents cultural, social, psychological, personal views and beliefs. However, there are various responsibilities that should be performed to facilitate the provision of high-quality care.

A treatment is considered to be successful when there is cooperation between patients and doctors and other medical personnel. The following are the rights of the patient that can be expected to be provided to him by the medical personnel while getting treated (Link, Goorin, Miser, 1986, p. 1600-1666):

It is expected that the patient is treated with respect and courtesy while receiving treatment on the basis of the clinical needs. It means the patient can be expected to make all decisions about his treatment, and about all pros and cons of the treatment, including the risks involves, side effects, and alternative methods of treatment fully explained.

It is the right of the patient to be informed of any delays in the time of appointments of treatments. In addition to that, the patient can expect the staff to understand that he might be feeling anxious and vulnerable, and this may affect the way he ...