Research and analysis

Improving older people's access to cancer treatment services

A report on whether appropriate assessment of older cancer patients would result in better access to cancer treatment.

From:
Department of Health and Social Care
Published
20 December 2012

Applies to England

Documents

Cancer Services Coming of Age report

PDF, 2.7 MB, 46 pages

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Details

The Cancer Services Coming of Age report summarises a series of pilots that tested whether appropriate assessment of older cancer patients would result in improved access to appropriate cancer treatment, based on need and not age. They also tested whether action, as a result of an age appropriate assessment, improved the scope for older people to benefit from treatment.

The report emphasises the importance of abiding by the Equality Act 2010, now extended to public services in 2012, to ensure that there is no direct or indirect discrimination in the delivery of health services to older people with cancer. It makes recommendations to services, which may assist better provision for all cancer patients if holistic, tailored assessment, treatment and advice is delivered.

Published 20 December 2012