Project Name: Novartis Re-imagining Care Pathways Collaborative Working Project (“NRCP CWP”) Western Health & Social Care Trust – Breast Cancer Service
Project Summary:
The Reimagining Care Pathways CWP comprises a series of workshops, with the aim of providing pathway mapping support to the CW Partner (healthcare and service teams) to:
Improve efficiency and service effectiveness for the benefit of patient care.
Address the local challenges they face in the delivery of patient care.
The programme facilitates area teams (Trust or ICS) to identify areas for efficiency within their Breast Cancer service for prioritisation. The programme will be carried out in a number of different institutions.
Expected Benefits:
Anticipated Benefits for Patients:
- Improvement of clinical pathways which may result in potentially fewer visits and shorter waiting times due to a more efficient clinical pathway
- Faster and more equitable access to the complete range of NICE approved treatment options.
- Quality care improvements aligned to established best practices
Anticipated Benefits for the Organisation(s):
- Improved understanding of the current service pathway, and associated efficiencies and inefficiencies. Potential to lead to solutions which could allow the CW Partner’s organisation to enhance both patient experience and outcomes.
Anticipated Benefits for Novartis:
- Understanding of possible opportunities to partner with the CW Partner to enhance patient outcomes and experience. Better understanding of patients,’ carers and customers’ needs, which may inform future service offerings, and synergies between needs of the customer and value of Novartis offerings.
Start Date & Expected Duration: August 2025, 16 weeks
FA-11488661 | August 2025
Project Name: Novartis Re-imagining Care Pathways Collaborative Working Project (“NRCP CWP”) Western Health & Social Care Trust – Breast Cancer Service
Organisation(s): Western Health & Social Care Trust, Glenshane Rd, Londonderry BT47 6SB (“Collaborator” or “CW Partner”)
Completion Date: 16th March 2026
Outcome Summary:
A report and pathway map were developed in collaboration with the CW Partner, highlighting the following:
The WHSCT Breast Service demonstrates strong multidisciplinary collaboration, effective screening operations, and high-quality patient support across the pathway. Notable strengths include double reporting in imaging, robust Family History (FH) nurse led clinics, cross-cover within radiology and surgery, and comprehensive support through Macmillan services.
Performance has been significantly impacted by regionalisation of the pathway (notably red-flag demand and triage changes), workforce gaps (radiology and surgical FTEs; nursing banding), space/infrastructure constraints (screening building, MDM accommodation), and capacity bottlenecks (MDM preparation time, aseptics, and oncology NMP contingency).
Targeted, pragmatic actions focused on workforce stabilisation, process redesign (MDM, triage, two-step chemo model), digital enablement (ePROMs, MedPoint utilisation), and infrastructure planning may help reduce backlogs, and improve patient and staff experience within 3–6 months, with further gains over 12 months.
Key Project Outcomes Data:
1. Clear identification of critical capacity and workforce constraints impacting pathway performance
The project identified pressures across the system and physical infrastructure, exacerbated by regional pathway changes. These constraints are now defined, quantified where possible and provide a strong evidence base for targeted investment and redesign.
2. A prioritised, pragmatic improvement roadmap with short-, medium- and long-term actions.
This enables WHSCT to move from insight to action, with realistic sequencing of workforce stabilisation, process redesign digital enablement, and infrastructure planning.
3. Validation and protection of existing areas of excellence within the breast service
The review confirmed that WHSCT has a strong foundation to build on, including effective multidisciplinary working, high-quality screening and radiology practices, nurse-led Family History clinics, pharmacy innovation and comprehensive Macmillan support. Recognising and protecting these strengths was a key outcome.
4. Agreed system level opportunities to improve patient experience, flow and equity of access
The project identified actionable system improvements that can directly enhance patient experience and outcomes, improving access to information and support strengthening education and upskilling, and better use of digital tools. These opportunities align service efficiency with more consistent, patient‑centred care.
Quote from partner:
This review has provided valuable independent insight into the strengths and challenges with the WHSCT Breast Services. It has recognised the commitment and expertise of our multidisciplinary teams and identifies practical opportunities to improve capacity, patient flow and experience. The findings provide a strong foundation for future service development and pathway redesign across the Trust.
Nurse Service Manager
Conclusion:
The delivery of this project offered a real-time snapshot of the current Breast Cancer Service pathway within Western Health & Social Care Trust. By identifying key pinch points, capacity constraints and opportunities for improvement, the findings provide a clear evidence base to support recommendations aimed at improving pathway efficiency, patient flow and overall patient experience. The project also highlighted existing areas of best practice, including strong multidisciplinary collaboration, effective screening and radiology processes, nurse-led Family History clinics and comprehensive patient support services, with opportunities for wider adoption and protection of these strengths.
FA-11786553 | September 2026