Introduction
With the increasing demand on secondary care follow-up clinics for men being treated for prostate cancer (PCa), this places an increased burden on capacity for these appointments. By examining current patient pathways from pre-diagnosis through to after treatment, and the support provided along the way, we identified gaps and by provision of the measures described below, aimed to address these issues, freeing up secondary care consultants .time to see newly diagnosed patients and patients with complex disease/treatments.
Method
We have identified gaps in services, which include comprehensive support and care pathways for diagnosed patients in the community. One of the initiatives of this service provides men and their families with a point of contact within this setting, offering advice and support via community clinics, telephone follow-up or home visits, and can signpost them to the appropriate services and act as a liaison between the multifaceted multidisciplinary team across secondary, tertiary and primary care settings with an aim of early re-referral and treatment when required. We engaged with GP’s and 6 Health Centres, primary and secondary care organisations to deliver the model of care.
Results
We facilitated the delivery of support and follow-up for this group of patients, with improved patient satisfaction and experience. Improved information at the point of transfer into primary care, in addition, we established strong links with the community palliative team allows allowing referral to them when required.
After being established for a 3 months anonymised patient satisfaction questionnaires were given along with a stamped addressed envelope at the time of the patients visit.
Questionnaire response rate 100% and overall feedback positive, questions regarding their overall experience being ‘Strongly Agree’.
Response to their individual needs from the clinic being ‘Fully Met’, these ranged from ‘providing support’, ‘discuss my treatment +/- results’, ‘listen and discuss my concerns’, and ‘approachable’. The results compared favourably to Specialist Nurse-Led clinic in the secondary care setting (Wheelwright, 2014)
Conclusion
Service provides an integrated and seamless service from pre-diagnosis to after care for PCa patients, an equality of health care provision whilst relieving the impact on secondary care resources. Improved access to advice, knowledge, understanding and support to self-manage their health, to enable men and their families whilst living longer with PCa, closer to their home, whilst releasing secondary care resources for newly diagnosed and complex PCa cases.
References
Wheelwright R. Poster A170. Patient Satisfaction survey from patients being seen in a Research Nurse-Led Clinic. NCRI Conference, Liverpool, 2014
