Effective Cancer management: framework

6. Effective Multidisciplinary Team (MDT) Meetings

The MDT is the culmination of patient examinations/consultations and diagnostic investigations. Most MDT meetings take place on
a weekly basis, usually on the same day each week and can be local (discussing patients from within one NHS Board), or regional (discussing patients from more than one Board within a region). The MDT provides a professional forum to discuss patients' results and explore and agree the most effective treatment options available. It is crucial that all MDTs are coordinated and managed effectively to ensure there's clinical agreement on the next step of the patient's pathway and a decision to treat is not delayed.

6.1 Each MDT should be well organised with a robust terms of reference (ToR).

6.2 The current day which the patient is on in their pathway should be available and clearly communicated in the MDT meeting
so every effort is made to treat the patient within the 62 or 31 day standard.

6.3 The MDT coordinator and/or tracker should be well prepared, ensuring all diagnostic reports are available on time for
the MDT discussion.

6.4 The MDT outcome should be clearly recorded and filed (i.e. on clinical portal).

6.5 Any actions from the MDT should be taken forward in a timeous manner by the responsible owner.

6.6 Outcome of MDT should be shared with the patient, and their GP practice, as soon as possible following the meeting.