8. Why do you need an MDT meeting co-ordinator?

Underpinning the MDT meeting is the co-ordinator, whose skills are vital to the efficient running of the meeting. Patient results and details need to be available for the meeting and the decisions recorded and communicated appropriately. In addition the co-ordinator has the task of ensuring that decisions are carried out, a register is kept, data is collected and patients are considered for appropriate trials. If a co-ordinator attends different tumour specific meetings, then good and efficient practices can be spread.

The co-ordinator role is key to the smooth running of the MDT meeting and streamlining the patient pathway. The role should be clearly defined and adequate training and support given. Some key tasks to be incorporated into a job description include:

• Arranging the meeting.
• Obtains list of cases to be discussed.
• Co-ordinates imaging, case notes histology etc. (Acquiring films in hospitals without PACs is time consuming and additional support may be needed).
• Records attendance.
• Records discussion, diagnosis, decision and treatment plan.
• Collects data.
• Books or tracks appointments.
• Ensures co-ordination and communication between the team and its related teams in the network and with the referring Primary Care Organisation.
• Link administrator for the patient and the team.

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