Launch of a new virtual hospital tour

Cancer patients in north east London now have an additional tool to help them prepare for urgent cancer appointments, thanks to a new interactive virtual tour of St Bartholomew’s Hospital.

Developed by the oncology team at Barts Health, in partnership with Circus360 and with funding from the North East London Cancer Alliance, the tool helps patients navigate the hospital before they arrive, reducing uncertainty and anxiety on the day of their appointment.

Circus360 is a digital creative agency specialising in immersive, 360-degree experiences designed to improve access, understanding and confidence for users across health, education and public spaces.

Patients can access the virtual tour via a link or QR code included in their appointment letter. After selecting their preferred language, guide type (spoken, on-screen text or silent) and pace, they are taken on a personalised route through the hospital.

Helping patients feel confident before they arrive

The virtual tour uses 360-degree photography and short fly-through videos to guide patients through every step of their journey at St Bartholomew’s Hospital, from the entrance to their appointment destination, much like being guided by a member of staff in person!

Patients can also choose from a range of language and accessibility options, which is particularly important for the diverse communities of north east London and supports efforts to reduce health inequalities.

The tool is designed to help patients who feel anxious about finding their way around large, unfamiliar hospital buildings, especially when attending cancer appointments, tests or treatments. By helping patients understand where they are going and what to expect, it can reduce stress at what is already a difficult time.

Improving attendance and patient experience

As well as improving patient confidence, the tool is expected to help reduce the number of missed appointments, ensuring patients receive the right treatment at the right time.

Dr Adam Januszewski, Consultant Medical Oncologist, Barts Health said:

“The route to a cancer diagnosis is often complex and can cause significant stress and anxiety. For many people, attending unfamiliar hospitals only adds to this burden. It’s something we regularly hear from patients and their families.

“Our aim was to create a way for people to familiarise themselves with our hospital, in their own language, so they can feel confident about getting to and around the building. This allows them to focus on what truly matters: the important conversations with their healthcare team.”

Driving innovation in north east London

This tool forms part of a wider programme of digital innovation aimed at improving cancer care for local patients, across every element of the cancer pathway spanning prevention, diagnosis, treatment and support for patients living with cancer.

Ellen Quinney, Diagnosis & Treatment Programme Manager at the North East London Cancer Alliance, said:

“This is another great example of how we’re harnessing technology to improve both the quality and equity of care for our patients. From AI that speeds up chest X-ray reporting, to providing animated videos explaining tests and 24/7 chatbots answering patient questions, digital innovation is already transforming the way we work.

“This latest initiative will give patients greater confidence and reassurance before their appointment, helping to boost attendance so they can get the care they need without delay.”

Positive feedback and future potential

The tool was launched in the atrium at St Bartholomew’s Hospital on 21 January. Feedback from patients who took part in demonstrations was overwhelmingly positive, with more than 95% rating the experience four or five out of five.

Jay Scott-Nicholls, Founder and Creative Director at Circus360, said:

“It’s rewarding to work on something that can make a real difference to people who may be going through one of the toughest times in their lives. If technology can make that experience even a little easier, that’s a truly worthwhile goal.”

The project has already sparked interest from other hospitals and departments exploring how similar technology could be used to support their patients.

How to access the tour

Patients attending St Bartholomew’s Hospital are encouraged to access the virtual tour using the link or QR code in their appointment letter to help them feel more prepared and confident ahead of their visit.

For more information about innovation in cancer diagnosis and treatment in north east London, watch this short video: https://youtu.be/urpQ6-AnExc