NHS HDL (2001)13

Health Department


Updated guidance issued 30th June 2005

HDL(2005)29

St Andrew's House
Regent Road
EDINBURGH
EHI 3DG




Dear Colleague

GUIDELINES FOR THE USE OF CYTOTOXIC CHEMOTHERAPY IN THE CLINICAL ENVIRONMENT

NHS Trusts treating patients with cancer should already have in place policies and guidelines for the safe use of cytotoxic chemotherapy in the clinical environment.

The attached document, endorsed by the Scottish Cancer Group, has been developed in response to NHS MEL (1997)66 which includes guidance on standards of practice for chemotherapy services. It aims to summarise and augment current clinical guidelines including:

  • Joint Council for Clinical Oncology (JCCO). Quality
    Control in Cancer Chemotherapy. Managerial and
    Procedural Aspects. 1994

  • Royal College of Nursing (RCN). The Administration of Cytotoxic Chemotherapy - Clinical Practice Guidelines. Recommendations. 1998.

The information and evidence used to compile this document came from multi-professional and multi-disciplinary sources including protocols in use within Scottish hospitals treating patients with cancer.

The attached document will be a useful adjunct to legislation requirements, national guidelines and professional standards when revising your systems and policies for the provision of cytotoxic chemotherapy.

Yours sincerely

 

 

MR TREVOR JONES
Head of Department and
Chief Executive

DR E M ARMSTRONG
Chief Medical Officer
MISS ANNE JARVIE
Chief Nursing Officer
MR W SCOTT
Chief Pharmaceutical Officer


22nd February 2001

______________________________

Addresses

For action
Medical Directors, NHS Trusts
Trust Chief Pharmacists
Directors of Nursing Services, NHS
Trusts


For information

Health Board General Managers
Chief Executives, NHS Trusts
Scottish Specialists in
Pharmaceutical Public Health



_________________________


Enquiries to:


Norma Darroch
Room 29F
St Andrew's House
EDINBURGH
EHI 3DG

Tel: 0131-244 2516
Fax: 0131-244 2375 norma.darroch@scotland.gov.uk _________________________