Head and neck

Summary

NICE has issued guidance on the organisation of healthcare for adults with head and neck cancers. The guidance recommends which healthcare professionals should be involved in treatment and care, and the types of hospital or cancer centre that are best suited to provide that healthcare.

The key recommendations are:

• Cancer networks should decide which hospitals will diagnose, treat and care for patients
• Multidisciplinary teams should be responsible for every patient
• Clear systems should be in place for patients to be seen quickly by specialists
• Support services should be available to all patients who need them
• Local support teams should provide long-term support in the community
• Information should be collected
• More research should be done

Documents

For healthcare professionals

• Improving outcomes in head and neck cancers - Research evidence
• Improving outcomes in head and neck cancers - The Manual

For patients, carers and the public

• Gwasanaethau gofal iechyd ar gyfer canser y pen a'r gwddf: Deall arweiniad NICE - gwybodaeth i'r cyhoedd
• Improving outcomes in head and neck cancers - Information for the public

Background information

• 2004/049 NICE issues guidance to improve healthcare services for head and neck cancers
• Scope: Improving outcomes in head and neck cancers

Implementing this guidance

Any further information NICE has produced to help the NHS implement this guideline locally is linked to below:

• None found