SELCA's Chemotherapy Day Unit (CDU) Demand & Capacity Tool

Overview

The SELCA Chemotherapy Day Unit (CDU) Demand & Capacity Tool is a structured, clinically informed Excel-based model designed to help services understand whether their physical and workforce capacity is sufficient to meet current and future demand for SACT delivery.

The tool supports operational decision-making, workforce planning and business case development by providing a practical, data-driven comparison of:

• Demand: measured in scheduled appointment length and clinical time required to deliver the activity.
• Capacity: physical chairs and available clinical workforce. 

Initially designed for Cancer Day Unit planning, the tool forms part of a wider strategy to strengthen workforce and capacity planning across chemotherapy services. Plans are in place to expand the tool further by developing additional aseptic and clinical pharmacy modules, which will be integrated into the main framework and made available in the near future. These modules will provide a more comprehensive view of service interdependencies across the full SACT pathway.

Who Is The Tool For?

The tool is intended for:

• Chemotherapy Day Unit managers
• Cancer service leads
• Operational managers
• Workforce planners
• Analysts supporting cancer services

Users should have basic Excel skills and access to local activity and workforce data.

Outputs

The tool provides multiple views to support different planning needs:

• Historic demand trends to understand long-term patterns
• Current demand vs capacity using recent data
• Predicted growth modelling to identify future capacity risks
• Scenario planning for service changes (e.g. new drugs, additional chairs or staff)

How To Request The Tool

NHS trusts can request the tool for free alongside a training and how to use guide. To request a copy of the tool please complete the request form here.

Requests are reviewed to ensure appropriate use and support. When you request access, you will receive:

• The CDU Demand & Capacity Tool (Excel)
• A detailed User & Training Guide
• Clear instructions on:
  • Data requirements
  • Assumptions used in the model
  • How to interpret outputs
• Guidance on scenario modelling and planning use.

Experience, Peer Support & Ongoing Collaboration

Once the tool has been rolled out across multiple trusts - creating a growing community of practice - we will support shared learning by:

• Running regular seminars for Trusts using the SELCA CDU Demand & Capacity Tool. 
• These sessions will provide:
  • Peer support and shared learning
  • Discussion of challenges and solutions
  • Examples of how trusts are using outputs locally
  • Opportunities to ask questions and sense-check assumptions  

If you would like to attend these sessions, please express your interest in the form above.