Project Name: Leicester, Leicestershire & Rutland Breast Cancer Service Transformation & Improvement Project

Project Summary:

This Collaborative Working Project is delivered in partnership between Novartis Pharmaceuticals UK Limited and University Hospitals of Leicester NHS Trust (UHL) to support service improvement within the Leicester, Leicestershire and Rutland (LLR) metastatic breast cancer (MBC) pathway.

The original project, approved in May 2024, aimed to improve the quality, consistency and equity of care for patients with metastatic breast cancer through the establishment of a dedicated MBC Multi-Disciplinary Team (MDT), aligned to NICE Quality Standard QS12 and NICE Advanced Breast Cancer Clinical Guidelines. The original scope included establishment of the MDT, delivery of a Reimagining Care Pathways (RCP) exercise, and workforce support through two Band 4 roles: an MBC Care Navigator and a Breast Cancer Patient Pathway Navigator (incorporating MDT Coordinator).

This amendment reflects a reduction in workforce scope following UHL recruitment governance, whereby the MBC Care Navigator role was not approved and therefore has not been recruited or funded. The project continues with a single Band 4 Breast Cancer Patient Pathway Navigator (incorporating MDT Coordinator) role, responsible for MDT coordination and pathway support activities within the scope of the original role.

The amendment also introduces a five-month extension to the overall project timeline (May 2026 to October 2026) to accommodate delays to planned delivery milestones arising from factors affecting stakeholder availability. The duration of clinical activity remains unchanged at 18 months. References to data capture relate to the use of existing CW Partner systems; no new database development forms part of the amended project scope

No new roles, activities, or funding have been introduced as part of this amendment. This amendment does not provide funding to cover NHS staff absence or replace existing roles. No retrospective activities are supported, and all remaining activity will be delivered prospectively in line with the original project objectives and agreed milestones.

Expected Benefits:

ANTICIPATED BENEFITS FOR PATIENTS

  • Increased access to equitable, consistent, and standardised care 
  • Enhanced experience for patients and their carers who live with a breast cancer diagnosis; 
  • Increased opportunity to have a personalised care and support plan helping patients to address their concerns
  • Increased understanding of the patients' needs by the NHS team

ANTICIPATED BENEFITS FOR THE ORGANISATION(S)

  • Increase the overall quality of care and improve equity of access to specialist care for patients with mBC requiring treatment initiation, evaluation, and monitoring. 
  • Improved understanding of the current service pathway, and associated efficiencies and inefficiencies. Potential to lead to solutions which could allow the CW Partner’s organisation to enhance both patient experience and outcomes.
  • Free up consultant capacity for clinical activities that are unique to their skillset. 
  • Reduction in waiting list times
  • Enhanced organisational reputation

ANTICIPATED BENEFITS FOR NOVARTIS

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

Project Duration: The project duration is extended to 29 months (May 2024 – October 2026) with this amendment specifically covering a 5-month extension from May 2026 to October 2026

FA-11728993 | June 2026