Overview
We helped set up All.Can, an international multi-stakeholder initiative to create political and public engagement on improving the efficiency of cancer care. We led its secretariat for four years until its incorporation as a not-for-profit association. We continue to act as a key research partner.
Christobel Saunders, Professor of Surgical Oncology, University of Western Australia
The challenge
There is evidence that up to 20% of healthcare spending is wasted on ineffective interventions that do not significantly improve patient outcomes. At the same time, there is limited understanding of what efficiency means – and a misconception that improving efficiency equals cutting costs.
All.Can was the first global initiative that aimed to improve efficiency in cancer – with efficiency defined as focusing resources on what matters most to patients. An important goal was to convey that inefficiency is not just a threat to health system sustainability, but also an unnecessary strain on patients and families in terms of anxiety, finances, time and quality of life.
What we achieved
- From 2016–20, we helped establish All.Can as an essential player in the oncology policy landscape, both in Europe and internationally, expanding membership and funding.
- In 2020, we helped the network become an independent non-profit organisation. We continue to enjoy a close collaboration with the All.Can Research & Evidence working group, and actively contribute to several projects.
- We worked closely with All.Can members to develop several landmark publications. Our inaugural report defining efficiency in cancer care was published as an article in the Journal of Cancer Policy; and our report on optimising the role of data along the cancer care pathway has been disseminated extensively.
- The All.Can patient survey, which we led, asked nearly 4,000 people with cancer, and their carers, about their care experiences. The findings were covered in numerous news and healthcare publications, including an opinion piece in the BMJ.
- HPP set up – and continues to run – the All.Can efficiency hub, a virtual knowledge exchange forum showcasing real-world initiatives that have improved the efficiency of cancer care, drawing on examples from healthy systems.
Core resources
Inaugural policy report
Towards sustainable cancer care: reducing inefficiencies, improving outcomes
Findings from the All.Can patient survey
Patient insights on cancer care: opportunities for improving efficiency
Website
All.Can efficiency hubProject information
Our work for All.Can is funded by All.Can International, a non-profit entity that receives funding from multiple funders. For more information, see the project page.
Get in touch
If you want to find out more about our work on All.Can, contact Eleanor Wheeler, Director of Consulting, Oncology.
