Project Name: UHB Breast Cancer Capacity Service Redesign 

Project Summary: 

This Collaborative Working Project (“CWP”) aims to optimise workforce capacity within the breast cancer oncology service with the creation of new dedicated workforce roles to include one Full Time Equivalent (FTE) Band 8a Oral Systemic Anti-Cancer Therapy ( SACT) Clinical Nurse Specialist (CNS) and one FTE Band 4 Cancer Support Worker. 

The intention is to maximise the efficiency of clinical appointments that will improve the pathway for Breast Cancer patients providing a more efficient and coordinated approach to care. Demand is increasing at an unprecedented rate within breast oncology services across the University Hospitals Birmingham NHS Foundation Trust as described in further detail in the ‘Background’ section of the PID.   

Through the implementation of this CWP, the aim is to achieve the following; 

  • Safeguard the future of the Breast Cancer Service at University Hospital Birmingham.
  • Ensure Breast Cancer patients are seen, reviewed and treated in an efficient and timely manner.
  • Reduce unwarranted variation in care quality and implement a cohesive treatment pathway within the trust for breast cancer patients. 

Expected Benefits: 

Anticipated Benefits for Patients:

  • Increased access to equitable, consistent and standardized care.
  • Increased access to education on BC and treatment to improve adherence and consequently patients’ outcomes, supported by a personalized care plan.
  • Reduce patient waits in the clinic given extra capacity created by new workforce role.
  • Reduced unplanned medical reviews and admissions.
  • More streamlined pathway to improve the patient experience and limit visits to the hospital 

Anticipated benefits for the Organisations:

  • Increase the overall quality of care and improve equity of access to specialist care for patients with BC requiring treatment initiation, evaluation and monitoring.
  • Provision of subject matter expertise to educate other members of the clinical team on treatment options.
  • Provide a single point of contact for a dedicated cohort of patients, thereby reducing the potential for unplanned calls being received by the wider clinical team.
  • Free up consultant capacity for clinical activities that are unique to their skillset.
  • Reduce use of emergency triage line and unplanned admissions.
  • Workforce efficiency and optimisation by removing administrative burden from clinical staff and coordinating patient care
  • Increased clinic efficiency by ensuring all up to date tests results are available at the right time
  • Increase the overall quality of care and improve equity of access to specialist care for patients with BC requiring treatment initiation, evaluation, and monitoring

Anticipated Benefits for Novartis:

  • Better understanding of overall HCP and patient needs
  • Optimal use of medicines in line with local/national guidance (including Novartis medicines) in appropriate patients.
  • Ethical, professional, and transparent relationship between Novartis and the Healthcare Organisations

Start Date & Duration: August 2025 - 21 months (including 18 months of clinical activity)

FA-11488660 | September 2025