Cancer treatment patients get symptoms remotely monitored at home

Patients undergoing chemotherapy and immunotherapy treatment are piloting a new remote care service that monitors their progress and helps them manage symptoms at home.

Inhealthcare has partnered with NHS Dorset to launch Oncology Monitoring @ Home, which aims to improve patient safety with timely self-care advice and early access to hospital if required.

Chemotherapy and immunotherapy are effective treatments for cancer but can cause a range of unpleasant side effects, some of which need to be treated quickly. 

Dr Amélie Harle, oncology consultant and clinical lead for the programme at NHS Dorset, said: “This innovative system designed by patients and oncology teams should provide patients with early advice at the onset of symptoms to empower a patient to safely manage milder symptoms at home or, when symptoms are more significant, to seek urgent advice from the acute oncology hotline service.”

Patients are supplied with easy-to-use devices such as blood pressure monitors and pulse oximeters and asked to submit regular observations for analysis. If any readings fall out of range, clinicians are alerted. Patients also complete a questionnaire about their symptoms three times a week. 

Oncology Monitoring @ Home uses the award-winning Inhealthcare platform to connect patients with clinicians via a choice of digitally inclusive communication channels including mobile app, website or automated telephone call. It is being piloted at Poole Hospital ahead of potential rollout across Dorset.

Sheila Soper, a 74-year-old cancer patient from Dorset, said: “For me, the service is accessible, usable and I’d be grateful to receive it.”

Bryn Sage, chief executive of Inhealthcare, said: “Remote monitoring can enhance care, improve safety and increase quality of life for cancer patients. We’re delighted to be working with NHS Dorset which is using our tried-and-tested technology to help boost health outcomes.”

A recent European study published by The BMJ found that remote monitoring can provide a safe, secure and real-time system that optimises symptom management and supports cancer patients to remain at home*.

Patients using Inhealthcare services have a choice of communication channels including smartphone app, web browser, SMS text and automated telephone call, promoting digital inclusion.

Inhealthcare recently partnered with NHS Scotland to develop remote monitoring pathways for blood pressure monitoring and chronic pain management.