Bringing cancer care closer to home
A digital monitoring programme that is transforming follow-up care for cancer patients across our hospitals has earned a place on the HSJ Awards shortlist.
The Somerset Remote Monitoring System (RMS) was introduced to tackle growing demand for specialist cancer follow-up services. The programme helps eligible patients stay connected to their clinical team without the need for face-to-face hospital appointments.
Instead, patients received the tests, monitoring and support they need through a structured digital pathway, giving them greater flexibility while ensuring they remain safely under clinical oversight. Patients also receive information about symptoms that should prompt review, helping them take an active role in their care.
Since launching, more than 5,000 patients have been enrolled onto the system and over 8,000 outpatient appointments have been avoided.
The system is also helping to release valuable clinical capacity. By reducing the need for high-volume follow-up clinics and replacing manual tracking processes, RMS is giving specialist nurses and clinicians more time to focus on patients with complex needs. Administrative teams have also benefited from simpler, more streamlined ways of working.
A key part of the programme's success has been the collaboration behind it. Nurses, consultants, administrative team, digital colleagues and patients all played a role in designing and refining the service. Patient representatives have also helped shape information and communications, ensuring they are clear, accessible and focused on what matters most to people living beyond cancer.
What began with three tumour groups has now expanded to eight, with plans to roll out four more. The model is also being adopted in other services, including pathways for lung nodules, ovarian screening and endocrine care.
Avril van der Loo, Macmillan personalised cancer care lead, Barts Health, said:
“Specialist cancer clinics across Barts Health were facing unsustainable pressure from growing follow‑up demand. By introducing this pathway, we’ve improved the experience for patients and helped clinical teams manage their workload more effectively. It’s wonderful to see the programme expand beyond cancer services and support new models of care across the Trust.
"It is fantastic the work has been shortlisted for this award and testament to the all the hard work of the clinical teams involved and the clinical systems integration work in the background!"
The team is one of six Barts Health teams shortlisted for a HSJ Award, recognising the Trust's commitment to improving patient care through innovation, collaboration and service improvement.
Well done to the everyone involved!