Wraparound care pilot lowers anxiety and reduces missed appointments

Amethyst Radiotherapy has reported positive results from a pilot programme designed to offer patients undergoing brain tumour treatment an enhanced level of wraparound care.

The project, run in partnership with Reframe Cancer, involved 32 patients, most of whom were NHS referrals, and focused on providing emotional and practical support before, during, and after their Gamma Knife treatments.

The aim of the pilot was to enhance patient experience by offering what Amethyst, which funded the project, describes as ‘concierge levels of care.’ The initiative was developed in collaboration with University College London Hospitals and the National Hospital for Neurology and Neurosurgery, a partnership that has seen an increasing number of NHS patients treated with Amethyst’s services.

The package is designed to ensure patients are fully informed and comfortable throughout their treatment, while also aiming to reduce anxiety and minimise missed appointments. Patients were provided with education about their treatment, transport assistance if needed, personalised reminders, and post-treatment check-ins to assess their wellbeing and provide emotional support.

Amethyst CEO Stephane Carré said: ‘At Amethyst Radiotherapy, we are driven by the belief that exceptional cancer care extends beyond cutting-edge treatments. Our pilot project in collaboration with Reframe Cancer has proven that comprehensive, holistic support can make a profound difference in patient experience and outcomes. By offering emotional, practical, and educational support throughout the entire treatment journey, we’ve helped our NHS patients feel more confident and comfortable.’

The pilot is intended to improve both patient outcomes and operational efficiency, with early feedback indicating a reduction in patient anxiety and fewer missed appointments.

Mark Stephenson, CEO at Reframe Cancer, said: ‘We are incredibly proud of the results and patient feedback from our partnership with Amethyst. By offering a comprehensive wraparound care package, we have been able to provide NHS patients with an exceptional level of support throughout their treatment journey. This partnership not only improves patient outcomes but also demonstrates our commitment to delivering innovative cancer care.’