LloydsPharmacy Clinical Homecare rolls out Careology with centralised triage system to support oncology patients

Nurses working for LloydsPharmacy Clinical Homecare, one of the leading providers in clinical homecare, will be the first to use Careology as part of a system to triage patients, enabling nurses to promptly assess individuals and ascertain their specific requirements for enhanced support or urgent medical attention.

This system means that patients across all LloydsPharmacy Clinical Homecare (LPCH) sites nationwide will have direct access to a dedicated LPCH Oncology Nurses Specialist Team.

As a result, patients will be less dependent on conventional hospital communication channels or be required to make physical visits to get immediate assessments or nursing guidance.

It is anticipated that this approach will lead to a reduction in the number of cancer patients needing to go to A&E and enable both clinicians and patients to better manage symptoms in their own community.

Previously, patients could only reach oncology nurse advisors by phone during working hours. Utilising Careology's remote monitoring technology, LPCH can now provide this service 24/7 which will eliminate and free up clinical capacity.

This direct access to the LPCH team will help to relieve anxiety for patients, improve care and reduce the number of people going into hospitals for non-urgent matters as their queries and concerns can be promptly addressed, from the comfort of their own homes.

The inbound triage line will be accessible within the Careology app to add a digital element to the nurse team's care.

This will enable nurses to work more efficiently by identifying and prioritising patients who may require intervention or support in managing any side effects or other issues

The continued partnership with LPCH will see the Careology app go live in July 2023 and be provided to all oncology patients as a central element in their care. It will be embedded into the daily clinical pathways and processes across LPCH.

Commenting on the partnership, Natalie Bingham, Lead Cancer Nurse at LPCH said: “We know this will be an important tool for both our patients and staff. Patients can now make direct contact with oncology nurses who are able to assess their symptoms and offer advice instantly, helping nurses across LPCH prioritise patients needing urgent care to ensure faster escalations for any clinical interventions. It will also help alleviate patient anxieties between appointments and give them peace of mind, which is fundamental to supporting them throughout their cancer journey.”

LPCH will also use Careology to gather data from patients on their care needs and primary symptoms, to help build a more comprehensive bank of resources for them to access via the app.

Natalie added: “The widespread implementation of Careology across LPCH is a unique opportunity for us to lead the way in providing exceptional care to those in need.”

Paul Landau, CEO and Founder of Careology said: “We’re excited to continue this special partnership with LPCH to bring a new level of care to people living with cancer and alleviate pressure on the cancer workforce.

“This new model of care helps patients feel better supported and connected to their oncology nurses not just during appointments but also when they're at home.

“This is crucial to the wellbeing of patients and transforming traditional cancer care using technology.

“We're really proud that our partnership is making all this possible. It's exciting to be able to create new models of care that can relieve the pressure on cancer services. And the best part is, these models will have a far-reaching impact on healthcare providers around the world.

“We're humbled to be able to make a difference to the lives of those living and dealing with cancer.”

Careology empowers people living with cancer by enabling them to easily navigate key elements of their treatment in a digital-first way, providing much-needed reassurance between appointments.

Patients can track their symptoms, such as pain and nausea, vital signs through wearable devices or within the Careology app.  

The Careology app can connect to clinicians, caregivers and family, allowing them to be more proactive in their care and support.

Careology’s leading technology provides unique, real-time insight to clinical teams so that clinical resource is directed where it is needed most, helping to reduce pressure on healthcare systems.