In our aim to reduce variation across Surrey, Sussex and Frimley, oncologists working across our footprint are encouraged to use the Royal Surrey Cancer Centre protocols for Systemic Anti Cancer Treatment (SACT) prescribing. This is a recommendation from the Surrey and Sussex Cancer Alliance Systemic Anti-Cancer Treatment (SACT) reference group.

These protocols can be found by clicking the link below. 

Whilst every effort is made to ensure the accuracy of the information in the regime, it cannot be guaranteed that it is fully up to date, due to the dynamic nature of cancer treatment. The SSCA cannot accept responsibility for the validity of content of any documents that are past their review date.

Royal Surrey Cancer Centre SACT protocols and policies

The SSCA SACT demand and capacity review

The cancer alliance has completed a demand and capacity review of the 15 SACT services across our footprint. We commissioned a third party consultancy, MSD, and two experienced SACT nurses to undertake the work which was completed in December 2024.

The review highlighted gaps in nursing roles across the alliance footprint, especially SACT cancer clinical nurse specialists (CNS) and trained SACT nurses. 

A final report with recommendations for optimising SACT units for cancer patients has been completed. Find it here: SSCA SACT Demand and Capacity Report

A SACT provider collaborative has now been established for all of Surrey and the cancer alliance is leading on SACT transformation across Sussex.

A review of the SACT hotline has also taken place. Find it here: Acute Oncology Service Review  A key recommendation is to create a single hotline number for each provider.  

The primary purpose of the Surrey and Sussex Cancer Alliance SACT Reference Group is to provide cross-organisational representation to ensure that all patients with cancer in Surrey and Sussex receive equitable access to safe, evidence-based and effective care. It also ensures best practice in the use of SACT including chemotherapy. 

The SACT reference group meets quarterly and has representation from all the providers across the region. It has representation from lead nurses, SACT lead nurses and CNS, pharmacists and clinicians.

Chair:  Emma Masters, SACT Lead Nurse, Royal Surrey NHS Foundation Trust

Deputy chair: Matthew Pitt, Lead Pharmacist, University Hospitals Sussex NHS Trust

Administrator: Vivien Bull, SSCA

SSCA programme lead: Vicki Havercroft Dixon, SSCA lead nurse

SSCA clinical lead: Sarah Westwell, SSCA co-medical director

Deputy clinical lead: May Teoh

Find the Terms of Reference here

Back to Treatment

What is SACT?

SACT is any drug treatment used to control or treat cancer. Drug types include: chemotherapy, immunotherapy, targeted therapy, hormonal therapy or any combination of these. 

  • Chemotherapy works by killing cancer cells and has different effects on different types of cancer.
  • Immunotherapy uses our immune system to fight cancer, it helps the immune system recognise and attack cancer cells.
  • Targeted therapy are either monoclonal antibodies or small-molecule drugs. They target specific proteins that control how cancer cells grow, divide and spread. They then help the immune system pick out the cells and kill them.
  • Some cancers use hormones to grow and develop, hormonal therapy works by blocking or lowering the amount of these hormones.

It is vital that staff administering SACT are confident and competent in doing so. The recommendation is that staff who administer SACT complete a university accredited SACT course at either level 6 (BSc Hons) or level 7 (MSc) and complete the SACT competency passport. Topics should include:

  • Identifying toxicities
  • Identifying evidence that supports symptom and side effect assessment,
  • Prevention and management
  • Rationalising how SACT is delivered
  • Managing treatment-related emergencies
  • Providing patient-centred,  individually-tailored patient information and support
  • Demonstrating advanced communication skills to discuss SACT treatment in relation to cancer diagnosis with patients and their families

​​​​​​Visit the UKONS Systemic Anti-cancer Therapy (SACT) Competency Passport Learning Outcomes Framework

Find the UKONS SACT Passport here 

Guy's Cancer Academy has an online training package that enables leads to supervise their staff and assess their competency in SACT practice. Find it here: 

Assessing learners using the UKONS SACT Competence Passport

Courses available:

Funding opportunities:

NHS England often give funding for SACT training to cancer alliances to help and support the education across the region. Future funding opportunities will be found here, as and when the opportunities arise.