The article demonstrates the use of a holistic systems approach (soft systems
methodology [SSM]) in the analysis of the cancer care domain to identify whether
this creates a system more appropriate to the needs of cancer care teams within
the NHS. It describes the current stage of a research project by the Department
of Computer Science at Cardiff University in collaboration with Velindre NHS
Trust, the South East Wales cancer centre. The aim of the project is to provide
information effectively to cancer care teams by creating a system to extend the
current cancer network (the Information System for Clinical Organization [ISCO])
to primary care. This extension will provide a communication bridge between
primary care and the cancer network. The article gives an overview of the
project, followed by a detailed discussion and justification of the holistic
approach adopted by the use of SSM, and concludes with a critical evaluation.
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