Inconsistencies and deficiencies in radiotherapy operations are the main setbacks to the achievement of effective treatment of cancerous complications. There are so many misconceptions about treatment of cancer and this has been taken to the extent of influencing policies guiding the treatment process (Queensland Health, 2008). As such, past histories and experiences have not been used as a fundamental basis for the formulation of new policies. There is a big gap in the time taken to cure cancer in patients using radiotherapy approach (Kenny & Lehman, 2008). The length and quality of treatment are critical and need to be addressed. Currently, only 35% of cancer patients opt for radiotherapy treatment because of the costs and risks involved. The radiotherapy treatment is deteriorating as more patients are opting for other treatments (Young et al. 2007). In a report, the Cancer Council in NSW recorded that within a span of 10 years from 1996, there were 51,000 patients diagnosed of cancer who never received the treatment because they opted for other options (American Association of Physicists in Medicine Scientific Report, 2008). It is therefore imperative that effective policies are required to make radiotherapy a better and more efficient cancer treatment method (NSWDepartment of Health, 2009).
Policy statement
The policy in discussion is Developing Prescription and Treatment Sheets for NSW Radiation Therapy Facilities.it give guidance and regulates the entire process of carrying out a radiotherapy operation including all the necessary documentations (Delaney et al., 2009).
Policy statement purpose
The main purpose for the proposal of this policy is to increase the safety levels and promote efficiency in the delivery of radiotherapy services to patients. Radiotherapy is becoming unpopular because of lack of proper policies to guide the operations and make them more effective (Chen et al. 2008). Efficient and proper regulation of radiotherapy operations will help a great deal in restoring sanity in the practice and gain patients’ confidence (Oliver, Fitchew, & Drew, 2010).
Who needs consulting?
The current policy has very effective measures but lacks customer experience and feedback as well as strict adherence by the practitioners. As such, it is important that it is reviewed, defined and stricter measures adopted to ensure efficiency (Slotman et al., 2008).
Policy goals or policy development
The goals for this policy include the involvement of patient feedback and experience when formulating the policy (NSW Department of Health, 2009). As such it will be possible to ensure high standards of service and possible to gauge the quality of radiotherapy services to the patients (International Commission on Radiological Protection, 2010).
The policy is also aimed at achieving cooperation between the respective government agency and the ROTCs in the implementation of the policy (Young et al., 2007).
How the policy will be developed
The policy shall be based on the patient experience after which a panel of experts from ROTCs and NSW state government shall deliberate on the contentious issues of the policy (Barton et al., 2007). The policy shall then be formulated by the panel and approval of the government in consultation with external experts (Penman, 2011).
Implementation proposal
The proposed policy shall be implemented collectively through cooperation between the government and ROTCs (Aitken, 2008).
Strengths and weakness
It largely depends on the personal integrity of those in approval positions. However, it is more effective and has ensured better measures to promote quality services (Bentzen et al., 2008).
Recommendation
This policy is more effective and efficient compared to the current policy. Therefore, it should be adopted and implemented (Wallace, 2008).
References
Aitken, R. (2008). Cancer incidence and mortality in NSW projections in New South Wales. Sydney: Cancer Institute NSW.
American Association of Physicists in Medicine Scientific Report. (2008). AAPM code of practice for radiotherapy accelerators: Report of AAPM Radiation Therapy Task Group 45. Medical Physics; 21, 1093-1121.
Barton, M.B., Gebski,V. , Manderson, C., & Langlands, A.O.B. (2007). Radiation therapy: are we getting value for money? Clinical Oncology; 7, 287-92.
Bentzen, S.M., Heeren, G., Cottier, B., Slotman, B., Glimelius, B., Lievens, Y., & van den Bogaert, W. (2008). Towards evidence-based guidelines for radiotherapy infrastructure and staffing needs in Europe: the ESTRO QUARTS project. Radiotherapy Oncology; 75, 355-65.
Chen, Z., King, W., Pearce, R., Kerba, M., & Mackillo, W.J. (2008). The relationship between waiting time for radiotherapy and clinical outcomes: a systematic review of the literature. Radiotherapy Oncology; 87(1), 3-16.
Delaney, G.,Jacob, S.,Featherstone, C., & Barton, M.(2009). The role of radiotherapy in cancer treatment: estimating optimal utilization from a review of evidence-based clinical guidelines. Cancer; 104, 1129-37.
International Commission on Radiological Protection. (2010). Prevention of Accidental Exposures to Patients Undergoing Radiation Therapy; Annals of the ICRP Publication, 86.
Kenny, L., & Lehman, M. (2008). Sequential audits of unacceptable delays in radiation therapy in Australia and New Zealand. Australasian Radiology; 48, 29-34.
Mackillop, W.J. (2007). Killing time: the consequences of delays in radiotherapy. Radiotherapy Oncology; 84, 1-4.
NSW Department of Health. (2009). Caring Together – the Health Action Plan for NSW. Sydney: NSW Health Department.
NSW Health. (2008). 2007 Radiotherapy Management Information System Report. Sydney: NSW Health Department.
Oliver, L., Fitchew, R., & Drew, J. (2010). ACPSEM Position Paper Requirements for Radiation Oncology Physics in Australia and New Zealand. Australasian Physical and Engineering Sciences in Medicine, 24(1), 1-18.
Penman, A. (2011). Improving Radiation Therapy for Cancer in NSW. Sydney: The Cancer Council NSW.
Queensland Health. (2008). Queensland Statewide Cancer Treatment Services Plan 2008-17. Web.
Slotman, B.J., Cottier, B., Bentzen, S.M., Heeren, G., Lievens, Y., & van den B.W. (2008). Overview of national guidelines for infrastructure and staffing of radiotherapy, ESTRO-QUARTS: work package 1. Radiotherapy Oncology; 75,349-54.
Young, J.M., Leong, D.C., Armstrong, K., O’Connell, D., Armstrong, B.K., Spigelman, A.D.,…Solomon, M.J. (2007). Concordance with national guidelines for colorectal cancer care in New South Wales: a population-based pattern of care study. Medical Journal of Australia; 186(6), 292-5.
Wallace, N. (2008). Cancer patients face choice of travel or pay. Sydney Morning Herald, 1, 4.