TSJCI Annual Report 2021

Trinity St James’s Cancer Institute Annual Report 2021 21 Section 1.13 Surgical Oncology 1.13.1 Key Developments during 2021 • A key development within the directorate was the requisition of a Di Vinci Robot which has been approved for purchase and delivery in 2022. The use of this robot is being targeted primarily toward Urological cancer, Gynaecological Cancer and Thoracic Lung cancer in the initial rollout phase. Education and training for the SJH theatre staff was carried out in conjunction with the company, and also colleagues in Blackrock Clinic who have been providing robotic surgery for a long period of time. Once embedded, it is planned that other specialties, such as Upper GI will develop use of the robotic system. • The directorate also saw developments in staffing, with the recruitment of new Advanced Nurse Practitioners in Prostate and Breast Cancer. • Mr Gary Fitzmaurice was appointed as a consultant thoracic surgeon, a new post which will help to support the growing number of lung cancer patients referred to the service. • The colorectal service continued to support colleagues in gastroenterology in the provision of the endoscopy based bowel screening programme. • There were continued improvements in the symptomatic Rapid Access breast service Key Performance Indicators (KPI), which was supported by the team and the National Treatment Purchase Fund (NTPF) to run ‘out of hours’ sessions. • Sustained compliance with the KPI for the Rapid Access prostate service continued, and 2021 saw the appointment of Mr Peter Lonergan, a new post established as a urology oncology position. • As part of the development plan for urology oncology, an additional consultant post was been created, and following successful recruitment, Ms Louise McLoughlin will be joining the team in 2022. • As a result of the pandemic, access continued to be a challenge for planned surgical access. The directorate fully utilised the safety net agreement which created offsite access for time sensitive cases, and also provided greater protection for the planned admission of major complex surgeries on site, such as head and neck cancers. • Education is a key focus of the directorate within its cancer services, and the Thoracic and Lung Cancer Foundation Course, commenced in Q4 of 2021 and will continue throughout 2022 with a twice yearly intake. Each course is 6 months in duration with 34 CEU credits.