North London Cancer Network

Introduction from the Chairman, Chas Hollwey

I feel honoured to take over as Chair of the North London Cancer Network Board following Professor Mike Spyer’s appointment as a non-executive director of NHS London.

I would like to take this opportunity to offer my thanks to Professor Spyer for his work on the Board of the NLCN, where he has been a member since 2002 and Chair for 2005/06. Professor Spyer has played a major part in representing the University of London on the Network Board and his contribution and wisdom during this time has been invaluable.

The last 12 months has been a somewhat unsettling time for most, if not all, staff and organisations within the NHS as the impact of, and arrangements for, ‘Commissioning a Patient Led NHS’ are realised and put in place. Some aspects are becoming clearer, and for the NLCN agreement on a ‘governed partnership’ role supporting PCTs and acute Trusts is a very positive step forward. With the role settled and the funding secured for the foreseeable future, there now lies a significant opportunity for the Network to support the development and improvement of services for the population of North Central London and West Essex.

However, challenges lie ahead in developing relationships with provider organisations as they move to Foundation Trust status, and with Primary Care Trusts as they develop their commissioning roles. As you will see in the following pages, a fantastic amount of work has been carried out by the clinical groups and the Network Team in progressively implementing the various Improved Outcomes Guidances and improving services for both patients and carers. This work will need to be continued alongside input to the developing national Cancer Reform Strategy and preparation for its implementation.

Finally, I would like to take this opportunity to thank the chairs and members of the Network, Tumour and Generic Boards, the constituent organisations, and the Network Team for their hard work during this time.

Spring 2007