Musculoskeletal Surgical Sarcoma Services
Primary bone tumours are extremely rare and the national service assesses patients suspected of having tumours and considers the appropriateness of surgery to remove and replace the affected part of the bone. The current service treats both adults and children.
NHS Boards and the Scottish Government Health Directorates (SGHD) accepted the National Services Advisory Group’s (NSAG) recommendation and agreed in principle to broaden the definition of the “endoprosthetic replacement of primary bone tumour” national service to take into account modern techniques and redefine the service as “musculoskeletal sarcoma surgery” from autumn 2007 without additional funding. New techniques include biological alternatives to stimulate the development of new bone – a new technique which is considered to be more clinically effective however is recognised as a more complex clinical procedure than endoprosthetic replacement of the bone.
Detailed information on the activity falling within the new definition of the service is being tracked for two years so that costs can be presented to NSAG in autumn 2009. NSAG agreed that they would then reflect on whether the service continued to require national designation given the existence of a national managed clinical network for bone and soft tissue sarcoma. In parallel an options appraisal exercise will be undertaken during 2008/09 to help inform the decision making process.
Lead clinician:
Mr Mike Jane (Consultant Orthopaedic Surgeon)
Service contact address:
NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde
Dumbarton Road
GLASGOW
G11 6NT
National Services Division contacts:
To contact members of NSD staff, please visit our staff contacts page.
Janice Birrell, Programme Manager
Tracey Curtis, Assistant Programme Manager
Carol Woods, Programme Support Officer
