Project overview
Background
Traditional oncology aftercare may no longer be effective in meeting the complex needs of people living with cancer. Poor integration across primary, community and secondary care can inhibit the delivery of the personalised care that is needed.
RbY Wessex intervention aim and design
• Aim: To enhance patient care by developing an integrated approach to supporting people living with cancer across primary, community and secondary care, from as near to the point of diagnosis as possible and throughout their cancer journey.
• Design: A therapeutic dynamic and longitudinal Holistic Needs Assessment (HNA) and support delivered by experienced Cancer Support Workers (CSWs) and Cancer Nurse Specialists (CNSs) who have received Managing Cancer and Living Meaningfully (CALM) training and are trained in Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) approaches. Delivered in the person living with cancer’s preferred location, typically their home, should they have one. Specialist outreach and support was provided to homeless and prison communities.
Evaluation design
Process and outcome evaluation involving multiple methods:
• quantitative analysis of all people referred to the service
• >100 qualitative longitudinal interviews with stakeholder groups (people living with cancer, carers, family members, secondary care, primary care, community care, specialist palliative care, commissioners)
• documentary analysis.
Key findings
RbY Wessex met its key aims with:
• enhanced patient experience and outcomes
• effective integrated working between primary, secondary and community care
• enhanced healthcare professional (HCP) experience and outcomes
• enhanced health service delivery.
Traditional oncology aftercare may no longer be effective in meeting the complex needs of people living with cancer. Poor integration across primary, community and secondary care can inhibit the delivery of the personalised care that is needed.
RbY Wessex intervention aim and design
• Aim: To enhance patient care by developing an integrated approach to supporting people living with cancer across primary, community and secondary care, from as near to the point of diagnosis as possible and throughout their cancer journey.
• Design: A therapeutic dynamic and longitudinal Holistic Needs Assessment (HNA) and support delivered by experienced Cancer Support Workers (CSWs) and Cancer Nurse Specialists (CNSs) who have received Managing Cancer and Living Meaningfully (CALM) training and are trained in Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) approaches. Delivered in the person living with cancer’s preferred location, typically their home, should they have one. Specialist outreach and support was provided to homeless and prison communities.
Evaluation design
Process and outcome evaluation involving multiple methods:
• quantitative analysis of all people referred to the service
• >100 qualitative longitudinal interviews with stakeholder groups (people living with cancer, carers, family members, secondary care, primary care, community care, specialist palliative care, commissioners)
• documentary analysis.
Key findings
RbY Wessex met its key aims with:
• enhanced patient experience and outcomes
• effective integrated working between primary, secondary and community care
• enhanced healthcare professional (HCP) experience and outcomes
• enhanced health service delivery.
