Our work during the Covid-19 pandemic and our focus on recovery during 2021/22

A reflection and look ahead from Julia Jessop, Programme Director of the SYB ICS Cancer Alliance: 

As the Programme Director for the South Yorkshire and Bassetlaw ICS Cancer Alliance, I am extremely proud of the work we, as a wide and varied team have progressed over the last  two years. The Covid-19 pandemic was an uncertain and challenging time for us all and has left further challenges in its’ wake as we learn to live with the virus as well as recovering and providing our services for those who need them.

As we come to the end of 2021/22, we will continue to build on the strong partnership working that already existed pre-Covid with a focus on achieving our key ambitions as laid out in the NHS Long Term Plan:

• Achieving earlier diagnosis; utilising the power of data to target interventions and support and develop primary care.

• Redesigning pathways; empowering our Clinical Delivery Groups to deliver on their ambitions, embracing innovations and establishing Rapid Diagnostic Services across the region as well as supporting the development of Community Diagnostic Hubs.

• Delivering high quality, personalised care; exploring opportunities for co-production and understanding how we can better tailor care to each person.

This of course is amidst the changes to our wider Integrated Care System in moving to be a statutory body which I think will enable us to embrace even more opportunities and allow us to further embed new ways of working for the benefit of all. I am excited by the prospect of adopting innovations in cancer care and treatment that will diagnose people faster, provide more bespoke treatment options and hopefully improve people’s experience and chances of not only surviving but living well beyond their cancer journey.

A key priority for us is understanding what more we can do – are we doing the right things? Are we reaching the right people? And how else can we improve the experience of anyone with cancer in our region?

Finally, I would like to extend my thanks to the programme management team of the Cancer Alliance for their continued hard work in supporting the wider system as well as the clinicians we have working as part of the Alliance for their dedication, particularly over the last 18 months. Whilst we still have challenging times ahead, I look forward to building on the fantastic partnership work we have – with our partner organisations, clinicians, colleagues and patient and public representatives – to further improve the experience of anyone affected by cancer, their loved ones and their families across South Yorkshire and Bassetlaw.