Agenda (may be subject to change)

09:00
Registration and Refreshments
09:30
Introduction
Malcolm Chisholm MSP, Convener, Cross Party Group on Cancer
09:40
Health Secretary Address and Questions
Nicola Sturgeon MSP
Cabinet Secretary for Health and Wellbeing
10:20
Keynote Address (sponsored by the Scottish Cancer Foundation)
Professor David Cameron
Professor of Oncology, University of Edinburgh and
Clinical Director, Edinburgh Cancer Research UK Centre
10:50
Refreshment Break
11:15
Breakout Sessions
Cancer screening
Cancer screening has been in the news a lot in recent years – with new techniques and improvements to the programmes, but also controversy over age ranges and questions about the correct balance of benefits and harm. What is on the horizon for cancer screening, and what do we need to do to make the most of the existing programmes?
New approaches to prevention
Preventing ill health is a major challenge. In recent years, competing ideas have taken shape – focusing specifically on cancer prevention; taking a generic approach to common risk factors such as smoking, obesity and alcohol; or a wider approach to factors that support health and well-being. What will work for Scotland?
Providing world class treatment
We've seen significant improvements in cancer treatments recently; from the promise of stratified medicines, to more targeted radiotherapy techniques and less invasive surgical interventions. How can we ensure that these are available to every patient who could benefit from them?
Delivering person centred care
Person centred care has been named as one of three key NHSScotland quality ambitions. But making this a reality for every patient will require a significant culture change in the NHS. How is this best achieved? What part do staff such as clinical nurse specialists play in this? How can assessment and care planning help? Can we make better use of patient feedback to drive this agenda?
12:30
Lunch
13:30
Breakout Sessions
Balancing benefit and cost
In a difficult financial climate, discussions about cost effectiveness in healthcare are inevitable. But with new interventions likely to be increasingly expensive, how do we make difficult decisions about what we can provide? And how do we balance the long term impact of spending on prevention and early diagnosis with shorter term treatment costs.
Detecting cancer early
The Scottish Government has recognised the importance of early diagnosis in improving cancer outcomes. How do we encourage people to present any symptoms to their GP as swiftly as possible? And are there still barriers between primary and secondary care that need to be addressed?
Transforming care after treatment
Across the UK there is a growing recognition that the current system of cancer follow-up and after care will not be able to cope with the predicted doubling of the number of people living with cancer over the next two decades. How can we provide services differently to better serve the individual needs of patients? And how might the proposed integration of health and social care help here?
Where next for cancer research?
Medical research makes a significant contribution to the health and wealth of our nation. How can we ensure that high quality cancer research continues to take place in Scotland? What are the questions that our researchers should be seeing to answer, and have we got the people, skills and infrastructure to support this?
14:45
Refreshment Break
15:10
Panel Discussion and Questions
Panel speakers include:
  • Dr Robert J Jones
    Senior Lecturer and Hon Consultant in Medical Oncology
    Beatson West of Scotland Cancer Centre
  • Dr Paul Baughan
    GP, Dollar Health Centre, Clackmannanshire
    Chair, Scottish Primary Care Cancer Group
  • Dr Hilary Dobson
    Regional Cancer Lead Clinician
    West of Scotland Cancer Network
16:10
Closing Remarks
Nanette Milne MSP, Convener, Cross Party Group on Cancer
16:30
Close of Conference

↑ Return to top of page