Request
I understand that, in relation to the £50m Cancer Drug Fund
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The national weighted capitation formula has been used to calculate SHA shares of the fund
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SHAs will set up regional panels of clinicians to decide on the use of this funding
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All decisions will be based on the advice of cancer specialists who are treating the patients themselves
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Patients will access the cancer funding through their treating specialists.
Therefore, please would you tell me:
A. What is your share of the Cancer Drug Fund
B. Have you set up the regional panel of clinicians
C. If not when will it be set up
D. Who is (will be) on the panel
E. Has the SHA specified any strategy for the fund usage
Our Response
I refer to your email requesting information in respect of the Cancer Drug Fund.
I can confirm in accordance with S.1 (1) of the Freedom of Information Act 2000 (FOIA) that we do hold the information that you have requested. I will address each of your queries in turn:
A. What is your share of the Cancer Drug Fund
- NHS East Midlands expects to receive a £4.2 million share of the cancer drug fund from October 2010 to March 2011 inclusive.
B. Have you set up the regional panel of clinicians
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NHS East Midlands is setting up a clinically led panel. The membership will include oncologists, public health and specialist pharmacy advisors from the East Midlands Cancer Network and the East Midlands Specialised Commissioning Group. This builds on existing arrangements that have been operating effectively in the region for some time.
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A Review Panel is also being established to respond to appeals made in respect of unsuccessful applications to the fund. This will be chaired by Dr Kathy McLean (Medical Director, NHS East Midlands) supported by oncology, public health and pharmacy members.
C. If not when will it be set up
D. Who is (will be) on the panel
E. Has the SHA specified any strategy for the fund usage
- The aim is that decisions will be reached by the Cancer Drug Fund Panel normally within 3 working days of a complete application being received, with the same time period for the review process.
- A Principles document will guide the application and decision making process. This will be finalised following consideration of comments received from members of the East Midlands Cancer Drugs Advisory Group and user representatives from the East Midlands Cancer Network. It is intended that this document will be signed off by the working group on 24 September. At this stage, it is expected that applications will be made by the patient’s oncologist with the support of the Hospital Trust.
- The Panel will consider the clinical benefit of the drug for each individual but within a policy framework that will include consideration of off-label drugs.
I hope that this information is of use. If you are dissatisfied with the way in which we have dealt with your request you can ask us to review our decision by writing to:-
Mr Moosa Patel
Director of Corporate Affairs
NHS East Midlands
Octavia House
Interchange Business Park
Bostock's Lane
Sandiacre
Nottingham
NG10 5QG
If at the conclusion of any review you remain dissatisfied you may complain to the Information Commissioner who can be contacted at:-
The Office of the Information Commissioner
Wycliffe House
Water Lane
Wilmslow
Cheshire
SK9 5AF
