Personalised stratified follow up

The NHS Long Term Plan for Cancer states that 'after treatment, the person will move to a follow-up pathway that suits their needs, and ensures they can get rapid access to clinical support where they are worried that their cancer may have recurred.'

Tailoring follow-up pathways to individual needs, aims to improve patient experience and quality of life for people following treatment for cancer.

The follow-up care each individual needs can depend on many factors including their cancer type, the effects of treatment, if they have any other health conditions and the level of professional involvement needed.

The follow-up pathways ensure that at the end of treatment, patients will receive care that meets their needs.

For some people this may mean being supported to self-manage with fewer face-to-face hospital appointments; instead they can receive care closer to home, with access to clinical support if they have any concerns.

The decision as to which is the most appropriate follow-up pathway will always be taken in consultation with the patient.

Links for healthcare staff

Implementing personalised stratified follow-up pathways

Screening and early diagnosis

Our screening and early diagnosis work focuses on breaking down barriers to increase the number of people who take up screening and raising awareness of the signs and symptoms of cancer to reduce health and health care inequalities across Kent and Medway.

Faster diagnosis

The NHS Faster Diagnosis Standard (FDS) requires patients to be diagnosed or have cancer ruled out within 28 days of being referred urgently by their GP for suspected cancer. For patients who are diagnosed with cancer, it means their treatment can begin as soon as possible. For those who are not, they can have their minds put at rest more…

Personalised care and support

Personalised care means giving patients more choice and control over their care, based on what matters most to them as individuals. It is a partnership between people with cancer and their professional team.

Innovation

Kent and Medway Cancer Alliance (KMCA) is one of eight cancer alliances to participate in the Galleri-GRAIL clinical trial. The trial aims to prove whether the Galleri-GRAIL test is effective in diagnosing up to 50 types of cancer by looking for DNA markers in the blood.