Lingen Davies funded App shortlisted for national award

An interactive App developed to help cancer patients at Shropshire’s two acute hospitals is among the frontrunners to lift a prestigious Patient Safety Award.

The Shrewsbury and Telford Hospital NHS Trust (SaTH), which runs the Royal Shrewsbury Hospital (RSH) and the Princess Royal Hospital (PRH) in Telford, has been shortlisted for the Cancer Care Award for creating an App that helps patients understand and monitor the side effects of chemotherapy treatment and the long-term follow-up of prostate cancer.

The awards – which will be presented at a gala dinner in Manchester on Tuesday 4 July – are among the most celebrated in UK Healthcare.

The App, which was funded by the Lingen Davies Cancer Fund, was launched at RSH in December 2016.

Simon Wright, Chief Executive, said: “I am very proud that SaTH has been shortlisted in the Cancer Care category at this year’s Patient Safety Awards, and would like to offer my congratulations to everyone who has been involved with the development and creation of the App.

“The exciting digital health solution, which has been produced with the generous support of the Lingen Davies Cancer Fund, followed a period of extensive consultation with patients and clinicians about the way we can improve the way in which people with cancer can access services.

“I look forward to the presentation evening and hopefully we can return from the event with even more reasons to celebrate this wonderful technological initiative.”

Dr Sheena Khanduri, Clinical Lead for Cancer Services at SaTH, said: “The App is packed with important information about chemotherapy and advice about when to contact the helpline to ensure patients are seen at the earliest opportunity. It is hoped the technological advance will result in fewer chemotherapy patients being admitted to hospital as an emergency.

“To be told you have cancer and will need chemotherapy is very frightening, and that is why our hospitals are always looking to improve the care we provide for patients and their families.

“The App provides information and, importantly, it tells a patient when they need to contact us and how they can do so. It empowers patients to take control of their treatment and its effects and will improve access to the right care when needed.”

Naomi Atkin, Executive Officer of the Lingen Davies Cancer Fund, added: “We are delighted the cancer App has been shortlisted for this prestigious award. It is a fantastic project and one we are delighted to support.”