Rapid chemotherapy chair cuts waiting times and improves patient experience
Posted 28th October 2016
Cancer patients are benefiting from an innovative service that has cut waiting times and simplified their appointments for treatment.
The Rapid Chemotherapy Chair was the idea of staff on the Delamere Ward Day Case Unit at The Clatterbridge Cancer Centre NHS Foundation Trust, Merseyside.
It sees patients receiving oral chemotherapy and sub cut treatments like Herceptin, as well as drugs to help prevent bone fractures, in a purpose built area of the ward while sitting in a chair.
This enables a specially trained nurse to deliver these treatments, most commonly for breast, prostate or colorectal cancers, to up to 15 patients per day. The nurse also handles booking in their next appointment.The service frees up bays for patients whose treatment is more complex and takes longer.
It is a simple solution that has transformed patient experience.
Waiting times for those using the Rapid Chemotherapy Chair at The Clatterbridge Cancer Centre, Wirral, have seen big improvements.
Before the service was introduced, 59% of all patients were seen within 30 minutes. This has increased to an average of between 80 and 90%.
Ward Manager Fiona Courtnell said: “Sometimes the best ideas are the simple ones.
“The Rapid Chemotherapy Chair is good for patients and staff. It means people coming here for oral treatments can be seen much more quickly. That improves their experience and also improves the experience of the patients who need more time on the ward.
“We introduced the chair in April last year and have seen a real change as a result. This is a change that has been sustained.
“The only complaint I have had from patients using the chair is from one man who was waiting for his treatment. His complaint? That he didn’t have time to finish his bacon sandwich because he was seen so quickly.”
The service has now been rolled out to Clatterbridge Cancer Centres at The Linda McCartney Centre in Liverpool, Southport Hospital and the Marina Dalglish Centre, Aintree. It will be rolled out to all satellite treatment clinics.
Patients using the service say they have benefited from the rapid chair and the reduced waiting times.
Pauline Williams, 78, from Spittal, Wirral, was diagnosed with breast cancer in January and following a course of radiotherapy now attends The Clatterbridge Cancer Centre NHS Trust for Denosumab injections, a drug given to some cancer patients to help strengthen the bones.
As a busy wife, mum and grandmother, time is of the essence so the Rapid Chemotherapy Chair has worked well for her.
Pauline said: “It is very efficient and not having to wait is really helpful for me.
“Knowing I will be seen quickly means I can plan other things because it is very hard when you are waiting. Everyone is so nice and helpful too and very patient.”
