With more than 14,000 people being diagnosed with Non-Hodgkin Lymphoma in the UK every year, the NNHLA analyses data looking into their diagnosis and treatment in detail. We feed results back to individual cancer services and hospitals, as well as to the NHS at a national level in England and Wales.
We publish the results of our data analyses every quarter, in order to produce guidance for continuous improvement for people diagnosed with Non-Hodgkin Lymphoma.
It can be a difficult cancer to study – there are more than 200 types of lymphoma. However, Cathy Burton (our Co-Clinical Lead for Haematology), notes that the aim of the audit team, is to focus not just on the most common lymphomas, but also on rarer ones like T-cell lymphomas. These are difficult to diagnose and treat. Hear more of her thoughts here:
Cathy Burton, Clinical Lead (Haematology), National Non-Hodgkin Lymphoma Audit
As well as clinical experts, charities are represented in the audit process to make sure the voices of patients and the public are heard.
One of the main objectives of the audit is to focus on equity and it’s important to work towards a service where all patients are given access to the appropriate diagnostic procedures and treatments.
Rincy George, Policy Officer, Blood Cancer UK
Tara Steed, Policy and Public Affairs Advisor, Lymphoma Action
One of the first tasks of the audit team, has been to establish which questions are the right ones to focus on. Together with our stakeholders we have identified an initial set of key performance indicators which are subject to ongoing development and validation.
The clinical leads for NNHLA, who help guide this process, are as follows:
- Dr Cathy Burton, Clinical Lead (Haematology), representing the British Society of Haematology (BSH).
- Dr David Cutter, Clinical Lead (Oncology), representing the Royal College of Radiologists (RCR).
This page will be updated whenever more information becomes available.