Radiation oncology KPIs from Altnagelvin not received for two years

The National Cancer Control Programme (NCCP) has proposed withholding funding to Altnagelvin Area Hospital in Derry due to delays in providing key performance indicator (KPI) data, the Medical Independent (MI) can report.

At a meeting of the NCCP’s executive management team in June, the minutes of which were obtained by MI through Freedom of Information law, it was revealed that Letterkenny University Hospital has not received radiation oncology KPI data from Altnagelvin for the last two years.

“Exec proposed considering a delay to funding until the data is received,” according to the minutes.

At a meeting in March, it was noted that patient targets in relation to radiation oncology targets identified in a service level agreement (SLA) with the hospital were not being reached.

“More accommodation and more work-up is required is required,” according to the meeting.

Director of the NCCP Dr Jerome Coffey suggested Deputy Director of the NCCP Ms Fiona Bonas contact HSE Deputy Director General, Chief Strategy and Planning Officer Mr Dean Sullivan due to his experience with the Northern Ireland service and request his advice on the matter.

At the June meeting, it was noted that Dr Coffey and Ms Bonas met with the Department of Health to discuss the review of the SLA documentation, which is due to begin in September.

“Exec agreed that there is potential for leveraging more services,” according to the minutes.

Earlier in the year, it was stated that Brexit should “not present an obstacle to Altnagelvin in terms of patient flow”.

In addition to Altnagelvin SLAs, the NCCP was to work with the HSE’s procurement division on agreements with UPMC Whitfield Cancer Centre in Cork and the Mater Private Hospital in Limerick, according to the minutes.