Whats New

To build the ICANEQUAL networks needed to address the complexity in providing early diagnosis, and timely, appropriate, and equitable treatment and care for HCC, 38 stakeholders from urban, rural and coastal communities across the UK participated in three NIHR ICANEQUAL Partnership Workshops. It was evident from this partnership project that current models of practice for HCC treatment and care vary across UK. Participants agreed that solutions to support timely diagnosis and referral within care systems were needed. Six themes (workshop 1 and workshop 2) informed the development of five priority areas and three project outlines in workshop 3.

The results of this partnership project can be summarised as the need for a robust clinical pathway with evidence-based referral, clinical practice guidelines for diagnosis and treatment, and appropriate data collection, the amplification of patient voice within care with consideration of the role of patient and community groups in delivering support tailored to specific under-served populations (recognising this has to be appropriately supported by the healthcare system), and the importance of multi-sector collaboration to achieve solutions to improve HCC early diagnosis and effective care.