Dr Lisa Ranaghan, a cancer information consultant, and Giulio Napolitano, information and technology officer, from the Northern Ireland Cancer Registry, won the Innovations in Oncology Award 2007 for creating an electronic system to record the decisions cancer teams make on patients’ diagnosis and treatment.
The Registry aims to provide accurate information on cancer cases in Northern Ireland for research, planning and education.
The award winners have worked for over three years on the project developed in partnership with the Northern Ireland Cancer Network (NICaN) and local cancer specialists.
The electronic multidisciplinary team management system was set up to increase the quality of information collected, to improve communication among professionals and to reduce waiting time for patients. The system also helps monitor patients’ care and improves cancer staging information.
The work was part-sponsored by the Service Delivery Unit of Department of Health and Social Services and has provided the basis for a regional cancer information system currently being developed with the Directorate of Information systems (DIS).
The judges said: “This is a truly innovative project potentially improving multidisciplinary management of all cancer patients in Northern Ireland.
“Already used in ten such meetings, funding and development is underway for a province wide web-based integrated system.
“This will enhance documentation of cancer diagnosis and stage and will facilitate onward management. Prospects for research and new therapy trials will also be enhanced.”
Dr Anna Gavin, Director of the Cancer Registry, said: "This system will improve patient care by helping all members of the clinical care team to easily work together to implement best practice and improve clinical decision making.”
Dr Dean Fennell, from Queen’s Centre for Cancer Research and Cell Biology, was a finalist in the awards.
The awards, organised by the Northern Ireland Medical Review, were attended by First Minister Dr Ian Paisley, Health Minister Michael McGimpsey, Chief Medical Officer Dr Michael McBride and Chief Nursing Officer Martin Bradley.
Also at the event Mr McGimpsey presented a lifetime achievement award to Professor Jennifer Adgey for her pioneering work in the field of cardiology. A consultant cardiologist at the Royal Victoria Hospital until last year, she holds an Honorary Professorial title at both Queen’s and the University of Ulster.
Source: By Queen's University Belfast
