Covid-19 HSE Clinical Guidance and Evidence

Cancer Care - Homepage 

NCCP advice concerning Multidisciplinary Team Meetings (Cancer Case Conferences) in response to the current novel coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic (CD 19-014 001/24.06.20)​

• NPHET, HSE and DoH advice

• Multidisciplinary Team Meetings (MDMs) (Cancer Case Conferences)

• Current events surrounding the COVID 19 outbreak are challenging and all public health bodies are placing the safety of patients, staff and communities first in all decisions.
• This is an evolving situation. This advice is based on current information and will be updated as necessary.
• The NCCP acknowledges that each hospital is working under individual constraints, including staff and infrastructure, and as a result will implement this advice based on their own unique circumstances.
   

NPHET, HSE and DoH advice

Hospitals will operate under the overarching advice of the National Public Health Emergency Team (NPHET), the HSE and the DoH. Information is available at:

• HSE HPSC - https://www.hpsc.ie/a-z/respiratory/coronavirus/novelcoronavirus/guidance/
• HSE Coronavirus (COVID-19) - www.hse.ie/coronavirus
• DoH Coronavirus (COVID-19) - https://www.gov.ie/en/campaigns/c36c85-covid-19-coronavirus/
   

Multidisciplinary Team Meetings (MDMs) (Cancer Case Conferences)

• Cancer Multidisciplinary Team Meetings (MDMs) are a treatment planning approach in which a number of doctors who are experts in different specialties (disciplines) review and discuss the medical condition and treatment options of a patient.
• MDMs should continue as they are critical to the planning approach for new patients and also patients requiring review.
• In consideration of the advice from the NPHET, the HSE and the DoH the following is advised:
  • The implementation of this advice should be led by the Lead Clinician of each MDM.
  • MDMs should be held by video conferencing where possible. The NCCP and the OoCIO are working on the provision of videoconferencing for those hospitals who do not already have a facility in place. Queries on access to video conferencing facilities for cancer services can be directed to Patricia.Heckmann@cancercontrol.ie
  • The number of team members who are physically present at the MDM should be minimised and implement the recommendations on social distancing. Physical attendance at MDMs should be limited to decision makers and key support staff only.
  • Surgical masks should be worn by all healthcare workers for all encounters, of 15 minutes or more, with other healthcare workers in the workplace where a distance of 2 m cannot be maintained
  • Revised local process may be required to ensure the recording of attendance and also the recommendation of the meeting.