Who are we?
The West of Scotland Cancer Network (WoSCAN) is committed to improving patient experience, equity across the region, and outcomes for the individual patient, at every stage of their cancer journey.
WoSCAN serves a population of 2.5 million people (approximately 46% of the Scottish population), including some of the most socio-economically deprived parts of Scotland. WoSCAN also provides many specialist services for patients from other areas of Scotland, including Argyll and Bute, the Western Isles and Dumfries & Galloway.
Led by the Regional Manager for Cancer and Regional Lead Cancer Clinician, WoSCAN is a collaborative of the four West of Scotland NHS Boards:
- NHS Ayrshire and Arran (NHSAA)
- NHS Forth Valley (NHSFV)
- NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde (NHSGGC)
- NHS Lanarkshire (NHSLAN)
As well as the nine tumour specific Managed Clinical Networks (MCNs), WoSCAN host the national Cancer Quality Improvement Programme. Additionally, we have a number of specialty networks and work programmes which cover all aspects of the patient cancer journey, so that we can continue to monitor, support and improve services and ensure that care for people with cancer in the West of Scotland is of the highest standard.
Who else do we work with?
There are three other Cancer Networks in Scotland:
- North Cancer Alliance (NCA)
- South East Scotland Cancer Network (SCAN)
- Scottish Cancer Network (SCN)
Along with the other Regional Cancer Networks, we act as conduit between Scottish Government and the NHS Boards for co-ordination of commissioned strategic and improvement work programmes, and to ensure key stakeholder representation on national groups, aligned with the national cancer recovery plan, where the support and expertise of the networks is required.
SCN was established in 2021 and is hosted by NHS National Services Scotland. It is a dedicated national resource to support and facilitate a ‘Once for Scotland’ approach to cancer services which will assist in enabling equitable access to care and treatment across Scotland.
What are Managed Clinical Networks?
Managed Clinical Networks are groups of health professionals from all elements of the patient cancer journey, who work together in a co-ordinated manner, to continually identify improvements and ensure continued equitable provision of high quality, clinically effective, services.
What are our Speciality Networks and Quality Improvement Programmes?
- Pharmacy
- Nursing
- Primary Care Cancer Network
- Living With Cancer Work Programme (Pre-habilitation, Patient Reported Outcome Measures, Single Point of Contact, and Risk Stratified Follow-up)
- Psychological Therapies
- MDT Improvement Programme
Meet the team
- Graham Mackay, Regional Lead Cancer Clinician
- Jennifer Laskey, Consultant Pharmacist
- Evelyn Thomson, Regional Manager (Cancer)
- Alison Rowell, Quality & Service Improvement Manager
- Carol Marshall, Information Team Manager
- Tracey Cole, Projects and Planning Manager
- Jen Doherty, National Cancer Quality Coordinator
Regional MCN & Improvement Managers
- Kevin Campbell
- Karen Connor
- Gillian Petty
- Heather Wotherspoon
Information Team
- Soumine Kallely George
- Julie McMahon
- Christine Urquhart
Network Administration Team
- Cheryl Cairney
- Linda Cassie
- Lorraine Stirling