Personalised Care Interventions

Receiving care tailored to the person’s needs can have significant impacts on their experience and their quality of life. Personalised care can include helping people to access financial, emotional, psychological and social support as well as providing them with information on managing their lifestyles, and the treatment and therapies available. The personalised care interventions are designed to understand and support these needs.

Holistic Needs Assessment

Personalised care and support planning should be based upon a Holistic Needs Assessment (HNA). This will be offered following a cancer diagnosis and at other times during cancer treatment. It provides an opportunity to ensure people’s physical, practical, emotional and social needs are identified and addressed at the earliest opportunity. Completion of an HNA ensures appropriate support can be planned.

End of Treatment Summary

This is a detailed summary at the end of initial treatment. It is provided to both patient and GP explaining the treatment completed, associated effects of treatment, signs and symptoms of recurrence, after care plans and contact details to address any concerns.

Care Cancer Care Reviews

A Cancer Care Review (CCR) is a supportive conversation between the patient and their GP or practice nurse, either face to face or on the telephone. This provides another opportunity for the patient to raise any new or ongoing concerns. If appropriate they can be referred to services or signposted to information and support available in their community or offered by third sector organisations.

Primary care professionals are expected to carry out a CCR at the time of a patient’s diagnosis (within 3 months) and after a patient has received acute treatment (within 12 months).

Health and Wellbeing Information and Support

Sharing information helps people living with cancer, their family and friends get the support they need before, during and after cancer treatment.

People who receive the right information, at the right times, have a much better understanding of their cancer, as well as the confidence to make informed choices about their treatment.

There are several online resources that can be shared with patients, families, and carers to search and promote cancer support services in the local area and across the UK.