Implementing the National Institute of Clinical Excellence improving outcome guidelines for head and neck cancer: developing a business plan with reorganisation of head and neck cancer services

• Published in: Clinical otolaryngology 2008-04, Vol.33 (2), p.149-151
• Main Authors: Jeannon, J.-P., Abbs, I., Calman, F., Gleeson, M., Lyons, A., Hussain, K., McGurk, M., O'Connell, M., Probert, D., Ng, R., Simo, R.
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: England; Head and Neck Neoplasms - economics; Head and Neck Neoplasms - therapy; Health Care Costs; Health Planning Guidelines; Hospital Restructuring; Humans; Interdisciplinary Communication; Oncology Service, Hospital - economics; Oncology Service, Hospital - organization & administration; Oncology Service, Hospital - standards; Outcome Assessment (Health Care) - economics; Outcome Assessment (Health Care) - standards; Patient Care Team
• ISSN: 1749-4478; 1749-4486
• DOI: 10.1111/j.1749-4486.2008.01637.x

Keypoints •  The implementation of the National Institute of Clinical Excellence improving outcome guidelines (NICE‐IOG) manual for head and neck cancer may have a huge potential cost implication. •  Head and neck cancer is a rare disease which utilises large quantities of resources which can only be provided in a tertiary centre. •  Head and neck cancer services should be centralised into a single site for each cancer network. •  A new higher tariff rate for complex head and neck cancer cases is needed which recognises the true cost of this work. •  Each network should set its own tariff to make head and neck cancer care financially viable.