NNUH named top in the country for its Oesophago-Gastric Cancer Centre

Norfolk and Norwich University Hospital (NNUH) has been named as top in the country in the National Oesophago-Gastric Cancer Audit 2014. The national data, published today on the Health and Social care information website, shows that patients treated at NNUH (between 1 April 2012 and 31 March 2013) have the lowest mortality rate (0.5%) compared with every major cancer centre in the country. In addition, NNUH has low operative complications and the shortest length of hospital stay (8 days) after major complex operations for cancer of the oesophagus (gullet) and stomach.

The unit is one of the few in Europe to perform totally minimally invasive oesophagectomy whereby the entire operation is done through a keyhole method (laparoscopic and thoracoscopic oesophagectomy). The keyhole or laparoscopic surgery is less traumatic to the body and the patient recovery from a major complex cancer operation is significantly faster and better.

Mr Edward Cheong, Consultant Oesophago-gastric and Laparoscopic Surgeon, and Upper GI Cancer Lead said: “This is the result of the continuous hard work, dedication and commitment from the whole oesophago-gastric cancer team at the NNUH. The introduction of minimally invasive oesophagectomy surgery for the last four and half years has brought enormous benefits to our patients.” In addition our enhanced recovery programme ensures that patients are active participants in their own recovery process.

Oesophageal cancer is a very aggressive cancer that affects the oesophagus. The incidence of oesophageal cancer has risen by 500% in the last 4 decades. The incidence is rising faster than any other cancer in the Western world, and UK has the highest incidence in the world (Norfolk has the 5th highest incidence of oesophageal cancer in UK).

Professor Krishna Sethia, Medical Director commented: “The statistics illustrate the quality of medical staff we have at the Norfolk and Norwich University Hospital and the care they offer for all cancers and these. We are proud of the work we do and it is pleasing to have independent recognition for the quality of our service.”

The National Oesophago-Gastric Cancer Audit covers the quality of care given to patients with oesophageal and gastric (OG) cancer. The audit evaluates the process of care and the outcomes of treatment for all OG cancer patients, both curative and palliative.

The audit measures a number of things including; characteristics of patients; their cancers and treatment selection; patterns of care received by curative and palliative patients; short-term outcomes of both curative and palliative treatments; survival rates of patients; differences in survival rates by patient characteristics, cancer type and the treatments received and patients with oesophageal High-Grade Dysplasia (HGD).

Notes to editors

Interview availability – Mr Ed Cheong is available for interviews Wednesday 28th January AM and Thursday 29th January. Please call Emma Jones on 01603 289821 to bid.

The audit is managed as a partnership between a team of clinicians and audit experts from The Association of Upper Gastrointestinal Surgeons of Great Britain & Ireland (AUGIS), British Society of Gastroenterologists (BSG), The Clinical Effectiveness Unit at the Royal College of Surgeons of England and Health and Social Care Information Centre

The National Oesophago-Gastric Cancer Audit is commissioned by the Healthcare Quality Improvement Partnership (HQIP) as part of the National Clinical Audit and Patient Outcomes Programme (NCAPOP).

The audit is available here and can be viewed on page 48 for data.