Site Specific Clinical Reference Groups (SSCRGs)

Terms of reference | Membership

To ensure that the data now available is used to improve clinical care, as well as to advise on what data needs to be collected and what analyses conducted, the NCIN has established twelve Site Specific Clinical Reference Groups (SSCRGs). Full details of each group and their work can be found using the links to the left.

A summary of the twelve groups' work during 2009/10 is now available.

Terms of reference

The full terms of reference for the SSCRGs are available to downloaded. Briefly, for their disease group, each SSCRG is expected to:

  1. Identify and prioritise clinical outcome measures.
  2. Identify key variables which contribute to achieving high standards relating to these outcomes.
  3. Establish what is already known about the disease group within the UK and international variation in outcomes.
  4. Support the definition of a core data set.
  5. Advise on what relevant audit and research activity is currently being undertaken, within the UK and internationally.
  6. Promote the linkage of relevant sources of data.
  7. Advise the NCIN on priorities for national analyses.
  8. Advise on minimum standards of data completeness and quality for the relevant dataset(s).
  9. Support commissioning and the implementation of Improving Outcomes and other national guidance.
  10. Build links with the relevant National Cancer Research Institute (NCRI Clinical Study Groups and other appropriate NCRI initiatives.
  11. Promote clinical and voluntary sector engagement in all elements of the work of the NCIN.
  12. Take every opportunity to promote the aims of the NCIN within their specialist field.
  13. Assist in the writing, editing and interpretation of relevant site-specific NCIN reports.
  14. Advise the NCIN on the handling of publications containing data naming specific institutions or clinicians.
  15. Support service improvement initiatives to achieve improved patient outcomes.
  16. Help identify ways in which the public could be better informed about the quality of services available to enable informed choices.

Membership

All members of an NCIN SSCRG provide specialist expertise in terms of their clinical or service related role, or as consumer and voluntary sector stakeholders. Details of SSCRG members roles and responsibilities are available for download and are summarised below.

SSCRG membership is of two main types - members from particular organisations where SSCRG membership is part of their role, (‘organisational members’), and appointed members. Some SSCRG members also have additional liaison roles to fulfil:

  • A liaison role between the SSCRGs and other groups or organisations
  • Supporting the integration of the SSCRG work programmes with other national initiatives, such as Improving Outcome Guidance (IOG), Clinical Audit and Peer Review.

Organisational membership comprises members of the NCIN co-ordinating team, representatives from the lead cancer registry, the NHS Information Centre (NHS IC), a Cancer Network Director; and the National Cancer Strategic Team (including Peer Review).

The appointed membership includes representation from people or organisations with an interest in the NCIN. These include the Chairs; clinical specialists along the cancer patient pathway (e.g. screening, diagnostics, nursing, surgery, clinical and medical oncology, end-of-life care, primary care, and others relevant to that tumour site) members of the voluntary sector, and consumers.

Liaison roles are where members fulfil an additional function over and above their specialist expertise. These include representation from the UKs devolved nations, links with the relevant NCRI Clinical Studies Groups, responsibility for national and other clinical audits, membership of the Royal Colleges and other professional bodies, and involvement with relevant national projects including dataset development, staging, co-morbidity/performance status and screening.