Systemic anti-cancer therapy delivery in the home: a service model.

ABSTRACT

The Christie NHS Foundation Trust is a leader in adapting patient care in response to treatment advances and new patient-centred care/efficiency initiatives. Due to extended waiting times in cancer clinics, The Christie developed an at-home treatment service to help reduce the pressure on clinics and improve patient experience. This article provides a detailed examination of the requirements necessary to successfully develop a home service for the delivery of systemic anticancer treatment. The authors discuss the criteria used to identify suitable at-home treatments, as well as necessary resources and equipment. The success of the Christie at Home service was examined using a patient survey to assess the standard of this care. Details are given regarding the challenges of implementing a homecare service and potential future challenges. As an example, systemic treatment with eribulin as a 'Christie at Home' therapy demonstrates the practicalities of introduction of new therapies in a homecare service.