What the Radiotherapy Network does

Purpose and scope

Purpose

The Radiotherapy Network is designed to facilitate meaningful partnership working between key organisations, personnel and professional groups across the West Midlands. By collaborating, we can secure quality improvements, introduce service developments, adopt technological innovation, ensure access to new treatments, promote participation in clinical trials; and unlock efficiencies.

Ultimately, the goal of the Radiotherapy Network is to secure improved outcomes for service users, including higher cure rates and fewer side effects from treatment.

Scope

Radiotherapy Networks encompass all adult radiotherapy services delivered to patients within the geographical area covered by the network, for the following services:

  • External Beam Radiotherapy Services delivered as part of a radiotherapy Network (adults only)
  • Brachytherapy and Molecular Radiotherapy (all ages)

Aims and objectives

The Radiotherapy Network will act as the system leader for radiotherapy, working closely with the West Midlands Cancer Alliance, the 6 West Midlands Integrated Care Systems (ICSs) and specialised commissioners, to ensure optimal access for its population to evidence-based, high quality radiotherapy services.

A new Radiotherapy Network service specification is expected to be published by NHS England in 2024-25. This sets out the Network’s objectives:

  • Improve access across the Network to modern, advanced and innovative radiotherapy techniques
  • Improve the experience of care by ensuring that Service Users will be managed by an experienced multi-professional tumour specific subspecialist team
  • Increase participation in research and clinical trials
  • Reduce variation in quality by adopting standardised best practice protocols
  • Review service provision on a regular basis to ensure optimal access arrangements
  • Reduce variation in equipment utilisation, subject to workforce availability
  • Undertake local workforce planning activities, ensuring a joined-up plan or programme is in place
  • Co-ordinate the incorporation of new and innovative technologies into local services – for example, ProKnow and AI solutions
  • Support compliance with national waiting times standards for radiotherapy