Home monitoring to support patients during chemotherapy The Christie NHS Foundation Trust

Current care pathways for cancer patients who are undergoing chemotherapy require patients to attend hospital once for a blood test and then again for treatment. If a patient’s white blood cells are not within certain parameters, the subsequent cycle of chemotherapy cannot be started and the patient is sent home. This wastes time, effort and resources, both for the patient and the hospital. Up to 10% of chemotherapy cycles are cancelled because of this.

The Christie NHS Foundation Trust is a specialist cancer centre in Manchester. It takes referrals from across the north west of England, as well as further afield. Some patients therefore have to travel long distances for their appointments. This project aims to reduce the number of hospital visits needed by providing cancer patients with the means to have their white blood cells, haemoglobin, body temperature and self-reported symptoms monitored remotely, in their own home.

Patients will be trained in how to use the home care monitoring device, which includes a simple finger-prick test. The results are sent to the oncology centre using 3G technology. The care team can then assess the patient’s wellbeing and decide whether they can go ahead with the chemotherapy treatment. 

The innovation means that patients undergoing chemotherapy can become actively involved in both the scheduling of their treatment and the early identification of adverse events. The care team can remotely monitor the progress of the patient’s condition, preventing the patient from having to travel unnecessarily to the specialist centre. 

Contact details

For more information about this project, please contact Dr Andrew Wardley, Consultant Medical Oncologist at The Christie NHS Foundation Trust.