Personalised cancer care

The Independent Cancer Taskforce report, ‘Achieving World-Class Cancer Outcomes – A Strategy For England 2015-2020’, provides clear recommendations for improving outcomes for people living with and beyond cancer (LWBC). Two of the recommendations relate to implementation of the Recovery Package and of stratified follow up, and RM Partners is working to implement these across west London. .

Recovery Package

The Macmillan Cancer Support Recovery Package includes four key elements:

• A Holistic Needs Assessment (HNA) should be offered to patients at specific points such as after diagnosis and at the end of planned treatment. It is usually a simple questionnaire completed by the person affected by cancer and provides an opportunity for them to highlight the most important issues to them at that time. It can be used to develop a care and support plan and ensure their needs are met.
• Treatment Summaries should be provided after each planned treatment phase is completed. Provided to the GP and the person affected by cancer, it is a document that has been completed by secondary care healthcare professionals about the treatment and potential side effects, signs and symptoms of recurrence, and who to contact with any questions or concerns.
• Cancer Care Reviews involve a discussion with the GP, practice nurse or member of the community health team about ongoing support the person affected by cancer may need and services available in their area. This should happen within 6 months of initial diagnosis and after treatment is finished.
• Health and well-being events can range from an afternoon event to a course taking place over several weeks. All should provide information on healthy lifestyle choices, consequences or side effects that may be experienced as a result of treatment, and signs or symptoms of recurrence to be aware of. These events should be offered to all people that have been affected by cancer.

Working with other London-based Cancer Alliances, we are supporting all of our partner Trusts through maximising IT infrastructure and clinical leadership, so they can implement the Recovery Package by 2020 as recommended in the national cancer strategy.

For further information on living with and beyond cancer, including the Recovery Package, please contact Vanessa Brown.

Supporting NHS England Cancer Quality of Life Survey

With more people surviving cancer than ever before, it is crucial to understand the impact that cancer has on a person’s quality of life ensuring the support and care they receive is appropriate and meets their needs.

To help understand what matters to patients, NHS England launched the Cancer Quality of Life Survey in September 2020. The survey provides an opportunity for people to share their feelings and highlight how cancer has affected them and their families.

It is vital that as many people as possible complete the survey when invited to participate, so that the information collected fully represents our cancer population.

More information about the survey is available here and there are also communication resources to help promote awareness and uptake.

Spirituality and Wellbeing Videos

We have been working with the Chaplaincy, Pastoral and Spiritual Support Service team at Kingston Hospital NHS Foundation Trust in collaboration with North Central London Cancer Alliance, North East London Cancer Alliance, and South East London Cancer Alliance, on the spiritual aspect of cancer from the patient’s point of view and for staff and volunteers involved with cancer care.

This pan-London project included facilitated workshops for patients, and for staff and volunteers, to provide opportunities for the participants to explore their spirituality and wellbeing

The workshops were filmed and three videos were produced which provide insight into the participants’ experiences and the structured facilitation. These can be used to stimulate discussion among teams about how they might address these issues in their service.

More information is available here.

Stratified Follow-Up

The Taskforce also recommended that people treated for cancer should be able to access care and support tailored to their needs. Alongside this they should receive the necessary support to empower them to remain in control of their health and well-being.

Working with other London-based Cancer Alliances, we are committed to implementing stratified models of follow-up, including both professional-led and supported self-management.

An individual will receive a personalised plan of care based on specific treatment information and Recovery Package interventions. Stratified follow up is designed to improve personal experience and outcomes.

For further information on stratified follow-up please contact Vanessa Brown.