Poster Presentation – Abstracts Archive

UK & Ireland Prostate Brachytherapy Conference 2013

Abstract number 11

Prostate Brachytherapy – Equal Access for All?

Caroline Manetta
University Hospital Southampton NHS Foundation Trust
Susanna Brock
Poole Hospital NHS Foundation Trust

Aims/Introduction: Evidence supports the use of both LDR and HDR brachytherapy (BT) in selected patients with localized prostate cancer. Demand for BT is increasing. Anecdotally, there is a discrepancy in brachytherapy funding across England and Wales. This survey sought to identify inconsistencies.

Materials/Methods: 22 centres in England and Wales were identified as providing prostate brachytherapy An individually addressed email was sent with a link to the electronic survey; initially in May 2012 with non-responders re-emailed in June 2012. The survey consisted of 7 questions with drop-down answers and optional free-text comments.

Results: The response rate was 81.8% (18 out of 22).

LDR All 18 respondents carry out LDR. 61.1% (11/18) centres have PCT funding with no limit to the number of patients treated. The remainder has to apply on an individual patient basis, for some or all patients. Charitable funding contributes to one centre. Four centres state that their LDR activity is limited by funding. In three cases the funding arrangements lead to a delay in offering implant.

HDR 8 centres offer HDR. Funding of HDR in 5 centres has no limit to patient numbers. In 2 centres it has to be sought for referrals from outside the network (individual approval necessary). One centre offering HDR feels activity is limited by funding. Two centres not offering HDR state that this is due to funding limitations.

Conclusions: The majority of centres have good funding provision for LDR BT. However, where limitations exist it impacts negatively on patient choice and time to treatment. HDR activity is less and two centres directly link this to funding limitations. The impact of inconsistent funding will increase as demand for brachytherapy increases. Hopefully, the recent changes to service commissioning will ensure equality of access to brachytherapy, and other emerging treatments.