Winner
NHS, AstraZeneca, IQVIA lung cancer PATHFINDER Collaborative
With support from IQVIA
Summary of work
The UK has low survival rates from lung cancer compared to other countries coupled with differences in care within the UK. PATHFINDER provides the NHS the time and space to streamline lung cancer pathways. PATHFINDER is a collaborative initiative between NHS, IQVIA and AstraZeneca (who have provided funding for this collaboration), using an in-depth, data-informed approach.
PATHFINDER is helping the NHS to move closer to achieving the best practices set out in the National Optimal Lung Cancer Pathway (NOLCP). The aim is to cure more patients with lung cancer.
Starting with six centres across England and Scotland, PATHFINDER is already delivering improvements. One centre was able to make changes that have sped up patient review by the multidisciplinary team (MDT) from five days down to one. Greater diagnostics/pathology capacity has been added in another centre by reserving more PET-CT
scanning slots for lung cancer patients.
These are just some of the changes that can speed up local pathways and all the small improvements add up, offering the opportunity to significantly improve outcomes for patients. IQVIA estimates that the NHS could free up thousands of days of treatment at a time when the NHS is under considerable strain.
Judges’ comments
The entry from AstraZeneca and IQVIA was remarkable, it had a clear statement of problem and intent. There was a strong and tangible ambition in objectives to improve patient care, with a thoughtful approach to execution. The three step approach is terrific and the partnership impressive.
