Why is there a need for the UKAOS?
Acute Oncology provides a critical medical service for patients who require emergency treatment related to their cancer diagnosis; the UK Acute Oncology Society (UKAOS) aims to bring together a wide range of professionals to develop a cohesive multi-disciplinary expert body to support the developments of standards, guidelines, education, and research and most critically ensure acutely unwell cancer patients receive the best possible standard of care throughout the four UK nations.
Acute Oncology developed in response to key reports on safety of systemic Anti-Cancer Therapy in the UK; the National Confidential Enquiry into Patient Outcomes and Death (NCEPOD) report “Systemic Anti-Cancer Treatment - For Better, For Worse - (2008)” and the National Chemotherapy Advisory Group Report “Chemotherapy Services in England; ensuring quality and safety” 2009. The starting principle was to ensure systemic anti-cancer therapy was delivered safely and robust mechanisms were in place to improve patient safety. It is a multi-professional service delivered by oncologists, haematologists, acute medical consultants, A&E consultants, clinical nurse specialists, pharmacists, oncology nurses and palliative care specialists. The remit extends beyond systemic therapy complications to include new diagnosis of cancer or progressive disease in the emergency setting. The importance of acute oncology competency to the medical cancer workforce was recognised by the GMC in 2020; expert oncology teams will be required to work more closely with acute care.
In 2020, a team of multi-disciplinary professionals began to consider the need for a UK Acute Oncology Society and established strong professional support both via a ‘start up meeting’ and survey; informal discussions were held with members of NHSE, NCRI, UKONS, and BOPA.
The society has a structure to support our work and ensure that we are working within national guidance for a charitable organisation.
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