Northern Ireland Cancer Services Framework

Cancer Policy

The Department of Health, Social Services and Personal Safety will publish its proposals for cancer services in the Service Framework for Cancer Prevention, Treatment and Care due in January 2010. The Northern Ireland Cancer Network (NiCAN - the sole network for the Region) leads on the development of cancer policy.

Cancer Standards

The 2006 Cancer Control Programme (precursor to the Service Framework) gave formal status to NICE guidelines and established the target that by 2010, Northern Ireland will have adopted all NICE clinical guidelines.

Peer Review

The process of Peer Review is being led by NiCAN and carried out by the English National Peer Review Team. It will start in 2009/10 with a review of breast, lung, gynaecological and colorectal cancer services. It is intended that a baseline review is established by 2010, with annual review thereafter.

Cancer Waiting Time Targets

Northern Ireland operates two cancer waiting time targets, covering the time taken between diagnosis and treatment (31 days); and the time between urgent referral and 1st definitive treatment (62 days)