Cancer treatment patients are remotely monitored for symptoms at home

Patients undergoing chemotherapy and immunotherapy treatment are being offered 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 quicker access to hospital when required.

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

Dr Amelie Harley, oncology consultant and clinical lead for the program at NHS Dorset, said: “This innovative system, designed by patients and oncology teams, should provide patients with early advice at the onset of symptoms so that the patient can manage mild symptoms at home Be empowered to manage it safely. Or, when symptoms are more severe, seek immediate advice from the Acute Oncology Hotline service.

Patients are given easy-to-use equipment such as blood pressure monitors and pulse oximeters and asked to submit regular observations for analysis. If any reading is out of range, physicians are alerted. Patients also complete a questionnaire three times a week about their symptoms.

Oncology Monitoring @ Home uses the award-winning InHealthcare platform to connect patients with physicians through digitally inclusive communication channels including mobile app, website or automated telephone calls. It is being piloted at Poole Hospital ahead of a possible rollout in Dorset.

Cancer patient Sheila Soper, 74, from Dorset, said: “For me, the service is accessible, useful and I would be grateful to have it.”

Brian Sage, chief executive of InHealthcare, said: “Remote monitoring can improve care, improve safety and enhance quality of life for cancer patients. We are delighted to be working with NHS Dorset to help boost health outcomes. Using our tried and tested technology to help.

A recent European study published by the BMJ found that remote monitoring can provide a safe, secure and real-time system that optimizes symptom management and helps cancer patients stay at home*.

Patients using healthcare services have a choice of communication channels, including smartphone apps, web browsers, SMS texts and automated telephone calls, promoting digital inclusion.

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