Personalised Cancer Care

We believe that everyone in North East London affected by cancer, should have access to high quality personalised care.

Our aim is to deliver the NHS Long-term plan ambition for all patients to be offered the personalised care interventions where we apply a holistic approach to managing the effects of cancer; where appropriate to have a follow-up that is personalised to them (Personalised Stratified Follow-Up) and improving the experience of our patients and our engagement with them, their families and carers.

We understand the effects of cancer has a huge impact and the physical and mental wellbeing underpins all the work that we do. We also have separate work programmes on Psychosocial support, Lymphoedema care as well as working with local authorities to improve access to community services for those that need it, where and when they need it.

From the moment you are diagnosed with cancer, you should have care and support that allows you to live as well as possible during and after your cancer treatment. Your hospital team will advise you of what diagnostic tests you will need and where they are available.

There are 4 steps to your personalised cancer care.

  1. Personalised care and support planning.
  2. A treatment summary outlining any treatment you may have had.
  3. Health and wellbeing information and support.
  4. Cancer Care Review.

Personalised care and support planning

After your diagnosis, your clinical nurse specialist (CNS) or support worker will offer you a Holistic Needs Assessment (HNA) which can be completed at the hospital, over the phone or you can complete it in your own time at home via an online link. 

The HNA is designed to give you the opportunity to discuss your physical, practical, spiritual, emotional or social needs and helps prioritise what matters most including what support you might need.

Once completed, your clinical nurse specialist or support worker will talk through the assessment and create a care plan with you. This plan will include the information and support you need and advice on how to access support services in your area. You will be offered a HNA at different stages of your cancer treatment.

The CNS will provide both email and telephone contact details and be your main point of contact. 

Treatment Summary

At the point you reach the end of a period of treatment, you should receive a ‘Treatment Summary’. This may be posted to you and a copy will be sent to your GP.

Your treatment summary will typically include:

  • Your diagnosis including all key test results and stage of cancer if available
  • The treatment(s) you received
  • Follow-up arrangements
  • Possible long-term effects or complications
  • Signs and symptoms to look out for
  • Details of who to get in touch with if you need support or are worried about anything

Health and wellbeing information and support

During your cancer journey it is important that you get the support and help you need to live as well as possible during and after treatment. Your CNS, support worker or cancer information centre are there to provide support and give you Information to help you during and beyond your cancer treatment, and can help with:

  • Emotional support
  • Coping with side effects
  • Physical wellbeing
  • Advice about money
  • Getting back to work
  • Making healthy lifestyle choices

This can be events or meetings to share information and also some helpful resources and leaflets will be provided. These events or meetings can be in prehabilitation services, radiotherapy schools, End of Treatment clinics, rehabilitation service, etc.

Cancer Care Review

Within the first 3 months of being diagnosed you should receive a call from your GP to offer help with any needs that you have.

A Cancer Care Review takes place at your GP practice either with the GP or practice nurse usually within the first 6 to 12 months after your diagnosis. Your review should include:

  • Talking about your diagnosis and current needs and any worries you may have
  • Any extra support you might need
  • A review of your medication
  • Giving you access to other services you may need, such as counsellors, rehabilitation specialists or social prescribers

If you have not been offered a cancer care review, please request this from your GP practice. If you have concerns at any point during or after your cancer treatment you can always contact your GP or practice nurse.