I was tasked with supporting the local hospital to improve its performance against the national cancer referral-to-treatment constitutional standard, which had not been met for several years. Working alongside the Integrated Care Board’s (ICB) Contract Manager, I raised a formal Remedial Action Plan at the Trust’s next contract meeting to address the issue. Recognising the need for collaboration, I engaged directly with the Trust’s Chief Operating Officer to co-design new clinical pathways aligned with updated NICE guidance.
Key cancer pathways were identified as outdated and contributing to delays; however, the Trust lacked the staffing and financial resource to implement the necessary changes. To resolve this, I brokered agreement between the ICB and Trust Executives to co-develop a Commissioning for Quality and Innovation (CQUIN) scheme. This provided financial incentives linked to agreed milestones, enabling the Trust to drive transformation sustainably. The hybrid approach of contractual enforcement and partnership working resulted in the standard being met—and was formally acknowledged in a letter from the Secretary of State for Health to the ICB’s CEO, who shared the commendation with the Trust’s leadership.
Sharon Wilcock
Palar Consultancy