Evaluating cancer prevention and treatment interventions

The challenge

RM Partners Cancer Alliance, has a vision to deliver world class cancer care across west London. They asked Kaleidoscope, in collaboration with Frontier Economics, to deliver a 3 year evaluation programme. The aim was to understand the impact of their work, build evidence to support service commissioning and to strengthen their learning. Our role was to develop the evidence base about which elements of programmes could and should be replicated.

The approach

Kaleidoscope designed and carried out several evaluations of cancer services across west London. We used a mix of traditional and innovative evaluation methods including key informant interviews, mixed-group workshops, and quantitative assessments of available data. The research and evaluation projects were:

• Cancer prehabilitative and rehabilitative services baselining research. RM Partners is developing an assessment process so that prehabilitation and rehabilitation cancer care is consistent across its trusts. In order to begin this programme of investment, Kaleidoscope and Frontier Economics conducted baselining research. We built a comprehensive picture of the specialist services currently offered to patients across different trusts and tumour types, identifying gaps and recommendations for improvement.
• Targeted lung health checks (TLHC) evaluation. We conducted a mixed-method evaluation of TLHC programme. The evaluation sought to understand the value of a community development approach in increasing uptake for TLHC, as well as to generate learning to inform the future development. We found the approach tackled inequalities identified in the local communities, had a wider positive impact on the community and increased engagement with TLHCs.
• Rapid Diagnostic Centres for Non-Site-Specific (RDC NSS) Cancer Symptoms evaluation. We investigated the economic case (cost, quality & access) for delivering the RM Partners NSS RDC model, and what evidence there is of other benefits for delivering a sector-wide service. We found that there are substantial savings and benefits of the model relative to the traditional pathway. These were particularly evident in the quality of the clinician and patient experience, bridging the gap between primary and secondary care and delivering more equitable access to services.
• Rapid Diagnostic Centres (RDCs) for Cancer modelling. We conducted a mixed-method modelling exercise to understand the form and number of required RDCs with an estimate on the associated workforce needed to meet local population demand in west London. We assessed the number of RDCs and staff required, that desirable workforce characteristics and recommended a strategy for monitoring and evaluation.
• Extended Access Cervical Screening evaluation. We conducted a mixed method evaluation to understand the impact of engagement activities GP Federations used to increase uptake of extended access screens. We assessed the value for money of the programme and the planning, implementation and accountability structures that are valuable to GP Federations.
• Covid Response and Recovery evaluation. Kaleidoscope designed and conducted a qualitative evaluation of the RM Partners roles and activities during the response and recovery phases of the Covid-19 pandemic. The ‘contribution analysis’ evaluation sought to understand the contribution of RM Partners during the response and recovery phases of Covid-19.

Our approach to engaging with people for evaluation is always participatory and inclusive. We support participants, collaborators and leaders to be co-producers of the evidence, with inbuilt mechanisms for blending data collection, sharing and peer-learning.

The outcome

We delivered our insights in several themes including cancer inequalities, Covid-19 recovery and the impact it has on services, Integrated Care Systems and provider collaboration and improving early diagnosis and survival for cancer patients.

RM Partners have used our evaluation outputs to inform the commissioning and design of transformative cancer services.

We also provided formative learning for shaping diagnostic pathways and services, including the early impacts of a community delivery approach and the hugely influential role of lung health engagement workers.