Femi  Odewale,  Managing Director NEL Alliance, and Caroline Cook, NEL Early Diagnostics Programme Lead, gave a brief overview of the cancer screening programmes available responsibilities, targeted checks inequalities and improvements in uptakes. Mr. Odewale informed the sub-committee that the Cancer Alliance is one of 21 in the country who provide transformational programmes affiliated with the national programme. They focus on four main areas: early diagnosis, diagnostics and treatment, personalised care and operational recovery, working alongside provider organisations.

Caroline Cook then discussed the cancer screening programme, commissioned by NHS England, and holds  contracts for screening providers overseeing both local and regional teams. The four main services discussed were breast, bowel, lung and cervical screenings. GP registration is required to access breast, bowel and cervical screenings. Cancer Alliance provides funding for transformational services and seeks to understand the signs and symptoms for early diagnosis by enhancing screening uptake.

Ms Cook then updated the members on the service coverage within the borough and went through the performance figures. It was noted that bowel cancer screening targets in Tower Hamlets are lower than the rest of North East London (NEL). Breast cancer screenings have not recovered since the pandemic and are also below target.

Sub-committee members were informed that Council Alliance will be implementing lung health checks as a screening programme over the next three years. Over the last year, this has been phased into the borough and is currently available for over 55 year old males who have smoked at some point. Since July 2023 approximately 1000 patients have received the recommended Low Dose Computed Tomography scan (LDCT)

Details of the inequalities data for residents unable to access screening by ethnicity or depravation were outlined. These are triangulated as GPS system may not record all information and not all details are currently accessible. Work to improve this is ongoing. The information gathered shows barriers to participating in screening are due to location, a lack of trust in the health service, accessibility issues, misconceptions around screenings, or language barriers which prevent attending appointments or effective communication.

Ms Cook  went on to discuss improvement measures to support the uptake. This included Primary Care Networks (PCN) cancer co-ordinators to support delivery of a direct enhanced service (DES), GP screening guides to assist in uptake levels of breast and cervical screening, promotional campaigns to spread awareness of symptoms and bowel screening reminders calls to patients, who have not returned screening kits after six months.

Ms Cook lastly touched on the projects currently in development. These include the Eclipse text reminder pilot now in five practices. Contacted patients fill out a questionnaire to receive a kit. The pilot will be expanded to more practices if successful. Further engagement to support residents from Polish, Lithuanian, Turkish, Romani and Gypsie communities is ongoing, as language barriers may prevent screenings.

Further to questions from the sub-committee, Femi Odewale and Caroline Cook;

·       Explained that any resident over the cut over age of 75 can request a bowel screening kit or receive one from their GP. Equally, anyone over the age of 71 can call the breast screening service for an appointment. Younger residents who may be high risk due to genetics, should also contact the service.

·       Confirmed that there are campaigns spreading awareness on bowel cancer screenings and potential signs and symptoms, and residents should seek assistance from a GP as soon as possible for early detection.

·       Clarified that self-swab cervical cancers tests were available in Tower Hamlets and NHS England conducted a self-sampling study called ‘HP Validate’ and aim to eliminate cervical cancer by 2030, There are plans to make self-swabs and self-screening be made more widely available  in the near future.

·       Explained that a communication strategy is ongoing and the use of social media, specifically Podcasts discussing cancer will be included. Further work to target youth centres and You Tube advertising will also be considered. 

·       Noted that ongoing work with Pharmacists  within NEL is taking place to advise residents to contact their GP for check-ups, if they are concerned that symptoms perceived as long Covid could be a sign of cancer. Leaflets with specific questions to ask the GP are also available. Residents can also use the Non-Specific Symptoms Clinic for further details.

·       Confirmed that Cancer Alliance project visited 6 different mosques, including East London Mosque, to hold free sessions on bowel cancer. This was in collaboration with the British Islamic Medical Association.  Residents received advice from local doctors on how to take a test and dispelled any misconceptions about the service. The attendance was good in the majority of mosques and a wide range of ages joined. Queen Mary’s University conducted an evaluation  although details are pending.

·       Explained that the procurement based service is provided by NHS England and bids are required to expand to other areas of NEL. Discussions are ongoing around expansion.

·       Confirmed that this is not a one size fits all approach, as projects require  tailored campaigns to ensure all residents are aware of screening services available.

RESOLVED that:

1.    The presentation be noted.