A simple shift in cancer support, one concern at a time
At Gloucestershire Hospitals, we are committed to ensuring that the cancer care that patients receive is truly centred around them. That’s why we have partnered with Macmillan to develop and pilot a new, simpler patient-led tool called “My Concerns”.
On this page
Over the next three months, we will be testing the materials and gathering feedback (including working with patients, carers, and community groups from late September/ October) to help us refine and co-design a final version. We are one of only two Trusts nationally currently working on the pilot to improve access for cancer patients.
Why are we doing this?
We know that living with and beyond cancer involves more than medical treatment. Concerns about fatigue, emotional wellbeing, financial pressures, relationships or day-to-day practicalities can all affect quality of life. The pilot for "My Concerns" will look to replace the existing Holistic Needs Assessment (HNA) with a simpler form.
The “My Concerns” form is a way of giving people with cancer a direct voice in their care - to share what is on their mind and what support might be helpful.
By piloting this tool and asking for people’s experiences and suggestions, we aim to:
- make it quicker and more accessible for people to share their concerns
- prompt more meaningful conversations between people and their care team
- use feedback to co-design the best possible version for everyone in the future
We hope that, as we review feedback from these three months, we can refine the tool, improve how it’s used and roll out the best version more widely.
What is the “My Concerns” form?
It is a way for people with cancer to tell their hospital team how they are feeling and what help they might need. It is not just about illness or treatment and it can also cover things like:
- feeling worried, tired or sad
- concerns about finances
- relationships
- needing help at home or at work
It's important that people with a cancer diagnosis can get the care they need, when they need it. Feedback from people with cancer will help shape a tool that better supports them and ensures their voices are heard. By testing this over three months with people’s help, we can ensure the final version really works for them and reflects what matters in everyday life.
“We wanted to make it easier for people to tell us how they are feeling, what their worries are and what support they might need - not just medically, but holistically.”
Oliver Warner, Lead Cancer Support Worker
My Concerns form
The “My Concerns” form is an important part of cancer care because it helps us understand how people are feeling, as well as what support they might need and when. The form is designed to be simple, clear and easy for everyone to understand.
We want to know:
- Was the “My Concerns” form easy to understand?
- Did anything confuse you?
- Was anything missing?
- How could we make it better?
Your thoughts and ideas are important to us, and your feedback will help us improve the look and flow of this important form.