Advisory Group - Terms of Reference

Overall remit

To facilitate collaboration between the Department of Health, the voluntary sector, patient and professional groups and to advise ministers, the National Cancer Director and the Department of Health on the development of policy on prostate cancer.

Terms of Reference

To review progress in implementation of the prostate cancer elements of the NHS Cancer Plan and the NHS Prostate Cancer Programme and the effectiveness of current delivery of diagnostic, treatment and palliative care services.
To advise on future policy programmes and priorities to tackle prostate cancer, including the implementation of the NICE Guidance on Improving Outcomes in Urological Cancers, the assessment of future resource needs, the improvement of information sharing on all aspects of prostate cancer, and educational needs regarding new and existing treatments.
To advise on future public awareness programmes on prostate cancer.
To advise on future research priorities and the implications of research results for policy on prostate cancer, including translational research and the need to increase the number of patients in clinical trials.
To consider and advise as appropriate on the development of the Prostate Cancer Risk Management Programme (PCRMP), taking on board advice from the PCRMP Scientific Reference Group.

Secretariat

Administrative support for the Prostate Cancer Advisory Group will be provided by the Department of Health with assistance from the Prostate Cancer Charter for Action as appropriate.

Timescale and frequency of meetings

Meetings of the Group will take place approximately twice a year. Additional meetings can be held if necessary.
Sub-groups may be formed as required to advise on specific areas of policy. They will report to the full Advisory Group on their findings. Individuals with specific areas of expertise may be appointed to these as agreed by the Advisory Group. Sub-groups will meet at appropriate intervals.