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RCGP and Cancer Research UK appoint Clinical Lead for Cancer

Publication date: 16 April 2012

The Royal College of General Practitioners (RCGP) and Cancer Research UK have appointed Professor Greg Rubin to lead a new clinical partnership focusing on cancer in primary care

Professor Rubin’s appointment as Cancer Research UK and RCGP Clinical Lead for Cancer marks the start of a five-year partnership programme between the two partner organisations that will aim to inform, improve and innovate cancer care in general practice.

The Clinical Lead for Cancer position is the first of its kind, and is being funded by Cancer Research UK in recognition of the vital role GPs play both in early diagnosis of cancer, and throughout the cancer pathway. Professor Rubin, who is a professor of general practice and primary care at Durham University, will be working as an adviser to Cancer Research UK on issues affecting cancer in primary care.

Cancer is the first of the RCGP’s new ‘enduring priorities’ – a five-year programme that focuses on conditions with a large impact on public health and public health policy. The College will work in close partnership with Cancer Research UK and with other key stakeholders for the duration of the programme, which also aims to:

1. Develop and implement a joint Cancer Research UK / RCGP strategy focusing initially on improving early diagnosis of cancer in primary care.
2. Identify areas for improvement in cancer diagnosis and care in general practice and develop best practice models and guidance supported by learning toolkits and educational resources.
3. Assess and promote proven clinical pathways of care in general practice to support and inform commissioners.
4. Embed improvements in general practice via the GP curriculum, where appropriate, as well as using GP networks to promote best practice and learning.

In addition, the College and Cancer Research UK will encourage the full engagement of patients, relatives and carers in the process of care by promoting models of participation.

Sara Hiom, director of information at Cancer Research UK, said: “We’re delighted to be a part of this unique and important partnership and congratulate Greg on his appointment.

“The GP is the first port of call for the majority of patients with symptoms that could be cancer, which highlights the vital role GPs play in cancer diagnosis. Cancer Research UK is committed to saving more lives from cancer, and ensuring the disease is caught as early as possible is a priority to achieve this. By working together with the RCGP, through this programme, we aim to develop ways to help doctors confidently diagnose more cancers at an earlier stage and ultimately save more lives.”

RCGP Chair Dr Clare Gerada said:

“I want to congratulate Greg, and thank him for taking on this challenging and important role. His knowledge of cancer in primary care is second-to-none, evidenced by the brilliant audit into cancer diagnosis in primary care, launched at the College last year.

“As a GP, Greg understands the vital role we play in identifying cancer in our patients and seeing them through treatment. His work, in partnership with Cancer Research UK, will help us help GPs build upon their existing skills to diagnose cancer earlier and provide the best possible quality of cancer care to our patients when they need it the most.”

Professor Greg Rubin said:

“I’m delighted to have been chosen to lead this important initiative on behalf of the Royal College of GPs and Cancer Research UK. Making cancer its first enduring priority sends a clear signal of the RCGP’s commitment to high quality care in this field.

“In the past few years, we have come to understand just how important a part GPs play in the diagnosis as well as the after-care of patients with cancer. I will be working with the NHS, the cancer charities and others so that the RCGP can add value to the good work that is already being done."

ENDS

Further Information

RCGP Press office - 020 3188 7574/7575/7576
Out of hours: 0203 188 7659
press@rcgp.org.uk

Notes to editor

The Royal College of General Practitioners is a network of more than 44,000 family doctors working to improve care for patients. We work to encourage and maintain the highest standards of general medical practice and act as the voice of GPs on education, training, research and clinical standards.

About Cancer Research UK

1. Cancer Research UK is the world’s leading cancer charity dedicated to saving lives through research
2. The charity’s groundbreaking work into the prevention, diagnosis and treatment of cancer has helped save millions of lives. This work is funded entirely by the public.
3. Cancer Research UK has been at the heart of the progress that has already seen survival rates in the UK double in the last forty years.
4. Cancer Research UK supports research into all aspects of cancer through the work of over 4,000 scientists, doctors and nurses.
5. Together with its partners and supporters, Cancer Research UK's vision is to beat cancer.

For further information about Cancer Research UK's work or to find out how to support the charity, please call 020 3469 6699 or visit www.cancerresearchuk.org

About Durham University: Durham University is a world top-100 university with a global reputation and performance in research and education. The most recent UK league tables place Durham in the top echelon of British universities academically. Durham is ranked in the top 3 UK universities in the influential Sunday Times University Guide 2012; is 26th in the world for the impact of its research (THE citations ratings) and 15th in the world for the employability of its students by blue-chip companies world wide. Durham University is a residential Collegiate University: England’s third oldest university and at our heart is a medieval UNESCO World Heritage Site, jointly owned with Durham Cathedral. Durham has accepted an invitation to join the Russell Group of leading research-intensive UK universities. www.durham.ac.uk