Health Improvement Programme for
Doncaster 2000 - 2003

Strategic Direction

To improve the prevention, early detection, treatment and palliative care of cancer. To reduce the mortality and morbidity associated with cancers by continuing to develop effective targeted interventions which address risk factors and promote healthy lifestyles. To continue to improve the quality of and access to screening, diagnosis and treatment.

Target

One third of all deaths in Doncaster in people under 75 years are caused by cancer. Deaths under 75 are generally considered as avoidable deaths. Cancer is an area where there is considerable scope for improvements and 'Saving Lives: Our Healthier Nation' has identified this as a priority and set a target which has been adopted as a local target.

To reduce the death rate from cancer amongst people under 65 years by at least a further 20% by 2010 from a baseline at 1996.

General Commentary

Cancer causes one third of all deaths in Doncaster in people under 75 years. The Director of Public Health's Annual Report 1999 also shows that Doncaster has higher rates of mortality from cancer than England and Wales. Such high rates of cancer in Doncaster necessitate the prioritisation given to cancer prevention, detection, treatment and palliative care across the health community.

The focus over the coming year will be on the development of a comprehensive cancer strategy (including palliative care), the rolling programme of implementation of the 2 week wait standard across all cancers, further development of services in line with the Calman-Hine strategy and development towards achieving second round Accreditation for the Trent Region Accreditation Scheme.

For background information on the Calman-Hine report follow this link: www.nhstrent.gov.uk/ph/cancer/cancer1.htm.

Further information can be obtained by downloading the full text version of the Health Improvement Programme for Doncaster 2000 - 2003.

Any comments on this section should be submitted to the theme lead: Mr. John Radford, Director of Public Health, or Ailsa Leighton, Assistant Director of Development, Doncaster Health Authority, White Rose House, Ten Pound Walk, Doncaster, DN4 5DJ Email:john.radford@doncaster-ha.trent.nhs.uk or ailsa.leighton@doncaster-ha.trent.nhs.uk