Blog: Mirban Hussain (pictured) is Equality, Diversity and Inclusion (EDI) Lead at Rotherham Hospice in South Yorkshire. In December 2022, aged 64, he received a letter inviting him for an NHS lung health check. Mirban had given up smoking years earlier, felt fine and had no signs of underlying illness. He takes up his story: 

“I remember looking at the letter and just putting it aside. A week later, I picked it up again and read it properly. If I’m honest, part of the reason I went was curiosity – I’d never had a CT (computed tomography) scan before. The mobile unit was local and easy to get to. The whole thing took about 20 minutes. It felt simple.

“I went for the scan at the end of January 2023. A few days later I got a call. It wasn’t alarming, they just wanted to repeat the scan. That happened quickly. Then I was asked to come in, where a consultant showed me the scans and explained that I had a form of lung cancer. That’s when it really hit. Up until then, it hadn’t quite sunk in. But I’ve always been a positive person, and I’m very lucky to have a strong, supportive family. We faced it together.

“I went on to have two operations, followed by seven weeks in hospital and then a period of recovery at home. Throughout it all, the care I received, in hospital and afterwards, was exceptional. It was the NHS at its very best; skilled, compassionate, joined-up. It reminded me what the system is there to do when it works well: to catch people at the right time and give them a real chance.

“During recovery, I started reflecting on the journey. I’d retired in 2020 after years working in mental health and EDI, often alongside people who felt systems weren’t built with them in mind. I found myself thinking about what had helped me: family support, opportunity, faith, and then about those who don’t have that. And one thing became very clear: screening saved my life. It could save someone else’s too.

“Screening isn’t for people who feel ill. It’s for people who feel fine, people like me, where something might be happening that you simply don’t know about yet. That’s the message I try to share.

“Different communities have different reasons for not engaging. Sometimes it’s fear. Sometimes it’s not understanding why it matters. And sometimes it’s about not wanting to talk about cancer at all, because it makes it feel too real.”

Mirban’s cancer journey led to him coming out of retirement and beginning a new position at Rotherham Hospice.

“My role as EDI Lead is about more than awareness, it’s about how we build trust and connect. We work alongside communities that services don’t always reach easily. In February 2025 I launched a weekly radio platform on Sheffield based Link FM (see image). I invite a wide range of informed guests and we talk about a whole range of topics: cancer, hospice care, palliative care, life-limiting illnesses, and navigating public services to find the right one.

“The aim is simple – to reach people who might not walk into a hospice or seek information, but who might hear something that makes them pause or act. Over time, we’ve spoken to people from all walks of life, from those with lived experience to clinicians and leaders across the system.

“Alongside that, I’ve worked with the South Yorkshire and Bassetlaw Cancer Alliance to create a simple walkthrough video of what happens at a lung cancer screening. It’s available in different languages, and the aim is straightforward, to demystify the process and show just how quick and easy it actually is.

“Now, three years on from surgery, I’m living proof that early screening works. If that letter hadn’t come through my door, I wouldn’t have gone. I had no symptoms, nothing to suggest anything was wrong. But a few years down the line, things could have been very different.

“If sharing my story helps even one person take that step, to pick up the phone or attend an appointment, then it’s worth it. Because early action doesn’t just change outcomes. It saves lives.”

• Lung Cancer Screening is available to eligible patients in areas across South Yorkshire and Bassetlaw. People aged between 55 and 74 years who smoke or used to smoke and are registered with a GP will be invited by letter to have free NHS Lung Cancer Screening.

More information

• Read more about Mirban’s cancer journey and his work as Equality, Diversity and Inclusion lead at Rotherham Hospice.

• Information booklets and videos on lung cancer screening are available at the South Yorkshire and Bassetlaw Cancer Alliance website. The materials are available in a range of languages.
• Video: Care Across Cultures Link FM radio show.

Patients at Northumbria Healthcare are benefiting from a new pilot providing same or next-day CT colonography following an incomplete colonoscopy. The streamlined pathway, delivered jointly by endoscopy and radiology teams, means eligible patients can receive their follow-up scan within 24 hours, rather than previously waiting between seven and 14 days.

CT colonography, sometimes known as a virtual colonoscopy, uses CT imaging to examine the bowel and can help detect conditions including bowel cancer and polyps. The new approach also means patients can avoid having to repeat bowel preparation, helping reduce anxiety and provide quicker reassurance and diagnosis.

If successful, the pilot could be expanded across Northumbria Healthcare, giving more patients access to faster and more convenient bowel investigations.

Read more on the Northumbria Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust website.

Free NHS Lung Cancer Screening is available across South Yorkshire and Bassetlaw for eligible people aged 55 to 74 who smoke or have previously smoked. The programme began in Doncaster in 2021 before expanding to Bassetlaw, Rotherham, Barnsley and Sheffield, helping to find lung cancer before symptoms appear and at a stage when treatment can be more successful.

Those identified as being at higher risk following a telephone Lung Health Check are offered a low-dose CT scan, helping detect lung cancer and other lung conditions earlier. Local patients including Sandra from Rossington have shared how screening detected cancer despite them having no symptoms, enabling treatment and, in Sandra’s case, subsequently receiving the all clear.

Read more on the South Yorkshire and Bassetlaw Cancer Alliance website and find below a video from the Cancer Alliance about what happens before, during and after a Lung Cancer Screening scan:

Mid Yorkshire Teaching NHS Trust is helping to detect lung cancer earlier for people across Wakefield through its Lung Cancer Screening Programme. More than 55,000 local people are eligible for an assessment, with around 13,000 expected to receive an initial CT scan. As of July 2026, the programme has already seen more than 300 people, with 151 low-dose CT scans carried out in its first three weeks, helping to identify cancer sooner when treatment is more likely to be successful. Find out more about how Mid Yorkshire is delivering lung cancer screening across Wakefield on the Trust’s website.

Opened last year, Hull Community Diagnostic Centre is helping people across Hull and the East Riding access vital tests and scans closer to home. The £18 million city-centre facility has capacity to provide up to 150,000 additional diagnostic tests each year, including CT, MRI, X-ray, ultrasound and blood testing, supporting faster and earlier diagnosis of serious conditions including cancer. Its accessible location also gives patients greater choice and reduces the need to travel to busy hospital sites for routine diagnostic appointments. Discover more about Hull Community Diagnostic Centre and how it is bringing diagnostic care closer to local communities.

New data shows that almost three out of four of the more than 1,300 lung cancers detected through the Lung Cancer Screening Programme in the North East and North Cumbria were found at stages 1 and 2, when the disease is most treatable and potentially curable

The programme invites people aged 55 to 74 years, who smoke or used to smoke, for a lung health check. People identified as higher risk are offered a scan of their lungs. This finds lung cancer early. 

The Northern Cancer Alliance (NCA) oversees the programme in the North East and North Cumbria, commissioned by the North East and North Cumbria Integrated Care Board. Services are operational in Newcastle, Gateshead, South Tyneside, Sunderland, Tees Valley, Northumberland, North Tyneside, County Durham and North Cumbria. 

Since starting in 2021, 304,539 people have been invited for a lung health check and 191,979 have been carried out as of the end of June 2026. From those, 123,433 low-dose CT scans have been undertaken, with more than 1,300 lung cancers diagnosed.

Dr Liz Fuller, the NCA’s Clinical Lead for Lung Cancer Screening, said: “We’re extremely proud of the success of Lung Cancer Screening in the North East and North Cumbria over the last five years and that more than 1,300 lung cancers have been diagnosed earlier leading to better treatments for those people and many lives saved.

“We’d like to thank everybody involved in the continued roll-out of this programme for their hard work and dedication to earlier diagnosis and would encourage anyone who is invited for a check to attend.” 

Adam Bathgate, 64, is one of the people in the North East and North Cumbria whose life has been potentially saved thanks to taking part in screening. After having a lung health check, former smoker Adam had a scan which showed the early signs of cancer in his right lung. Just a few weeks after having surgery to remove the lower part of his lung, he was back playing squash and continues to live an active life. 

Adam, from Newcastle, said: “I felt perfectly well when I had my lung health check and scan so I wasn’t worried about it at all. It was a huge shock when I found out I had lung cancer. 

“I’m so relieved I had the check and scan and the NHS diagnosed it when they did. By the time you start experiencing symptoms, lung cancer has usually progressed, and the outlook can be pretty grim. 

“You think it’s not going to happen to you, but it can, so what harm is there getting it checked out? It could save your life.”  

The NCA is committed to increasing uptake in lung cancer screening across the North East and North Cumbria and there is ongoing work to improve access and make sure that everyone eligible can take part. This includes providing reasonable adjustments such as longer and face-to-face appointments, interpreters, and bringing a friend or relative for support. 

If you have any of the following symptoms, seek advice from your GP: 

New or changed cough of more than three weeks 

• Coughing up blood 

• Chest infections that keep coming back 

• Unexplained breathlessness, pain, weight loss or tiredness 

• Hoarse voice or problems swallowing 

• Swelling of face or neck. 

Find out more about Lung Cancer Screening in the North East and North Cumbria.

A Heptonstall man has been sharing his breast cancer journey on social media to raise awareness that the disease can affect men as well as women. James Eddleston, 43, was diagnosed after finding a lump near his nipple which he initially dismissed before seeking medical advice. He is now documenting his experience online to encourage others to recognise the signs and seek help early.

Recently, James and Macmillan Nurse Consultant in Breast Care, Joyce Graham, from Calderdale and Huddersfield NHS Foundation Trust shared his story on BBC Look North to raise awareness of male breast cancer, helping to challenge misconceptions and encourage people to recognise potential symptoms and seek help early. You can watch the report below:

Gateshead Health is expanding its Community Diagnostic Centre at the Metrocentre following more than £10 million of additional investment, helping people across Gateshead and the North East access vital tests and scans closer to home. The centre has already supported more than 75,000 patients since opening in October 2024, and the expansion will create capacity for over 38,000 additional appointments each year, including MRI, ultrasound and X-ray services. The increased diagnostic capacity will help identify conditions including cancer earlier, enabling patients to receive answers and begin treatment sooner. Read more about the investment and plans for the Metrocentre Community Diagnostic Centre on the Gateshead Health website.

Patients in North Cumbria can now undergo medical thoracoscopy at the Cumberland Infirmary, following the introduction of a new service by North Cumbria Integrated Care NHS Foundation Trust. Previously, patients had to travel to Newcastle for the procedure, which is used to investigate suspected lung and other cancers and take targeted biopsies. The new local service is helping reduce waiting times for diagnosis, with its first patient diagnosed with an aggressive form of lung cancer within just 48 hours, allowing them to move towards treatment more quickly. Find out more about how the new service is bringing important cancer investigations closer to home on the NCIC website.

County Durham and Darlington NHS Foundation Trust is taking part in pioneering research exploring whether a simple breath test could help detect cancer earlier. Working with Imperial College London, the Trust is running two studies, VAPOR2 and PANACEA, investigating the detection of gastrointestinal cancers including pancreatic, bowel, liver, stomach and oesophageal cancer. Patients taking part simply breathe into a sampling bag, a process that can take as little as 30 seconds. If successful, the research could pave the way for breath tests to be used in settings such as GP practices and pharmacies, helping identify people who need further investigation sooner. Learn more about the research and the potential of breath testing for earlier cancer diagnosis on the County Durham and Darlington NHS Foundation Trust website.

Workington Community Diagnostic Centre was officially opened in May 2026, almost a year after it first began seeing patients. In its first year, the centre delivered more than 30,000 diagnostic appointments, bringing tests including MRI, CT, ultrasound, echocardiograms and lung function testing closer to communities across north Cumbria. Open seven days a week, the centre is helping increase diagnostic capacity, reduce waits and support earlier diagnosis, with further services and one-stop clinics planned as the facility continues to expand.

A campaign launched by West Yorkshire and Harrogate Cancer Alliance aims to encourage more women from certain communities to take up breast screening in a bid to detect cancers as early as possible.

You Can Ask, in partnership with Leeds and Wakefield Breast Screening Service and Forum Central, was developed after recent data suggested that women with a severe mental illness, a learning disability and those from culturally diverse communities were less likely to attend their breast screening appointment. This can lead to later diagnosis of breast cancer, when it is not as treatable.

Breast screening can detect a cancer as early as possible, whilst providing reassurance and relief to women who get the all clear.

The You Can Ask campaign aims to reassure and empower women from these groups to feel confident when going for breast screening and to increase awareness that they can ask for extra support including:

• More time during the appointment
• A quiet space
• Someone to attend the appointment with them.

Read full press release at West Yorkshire and Harrogate Cancer Alliance website.

As part of West Yorkshire and Harrogate Cancer Alliance’s Innovation funding, Leeds Health Awareness developed a training toolkit for people supporting patients with a serious mental illness (SMI) to raise cancer awareness – including signs, symptoms and screening programmes in the community. The modules were co-produced with voluntary, community and social enterprise and mental health colleagues to ensure they reflected a range of perspectives and experiences.

Recognising the importance of addressing the full cancer pathway, the Living with and Beyond Cancer team created a dedicated module to complement the existing content, equipping people to provide meaningful support at every stage. This module covers cancer as a long-term condition, available treatment options, common non-clinical concerns, and the support and signposting resources available.

Since its launch in February 2026, the toolkit has been shared with a wide range of organisations across Leeds and the wider region, generating over 292 video views and more than 46 completed module assessments.

Cervical cancer prevention in the North East and Yorkshire – taking a person-first approach
Eliminating cervical cancer is now a realistic ambition, and primary care teams across North East and Yorkshire are playing a vital role in making it happen. Through a combination of HPV vaccination, cervical screening, community outreach and personalised care, healthcare professionals are working together to reduce inequalities and improve access for women and people with a cervix.
The NHS Cervical Cancer Elimination Plan aims to reduce cervical cancer incidence to fewer than four cases per 100,000 women by 2040. Currently, around 2,700 people are diagnosed with cervical cancer in England each year and around 700 die from the disease, despite it being largely preventable through vaccination and screening.
In North East and Yorkshire, local teams are developing innovative approaches to reach those least likely to attend screening appointments. At Gateshead Health Foundation Trust, Women’s Health Hubs are bringing services together in one place, making it easier for women to access support. Community initiatives, including health screening buses, educational outreach programmes and partnerships with local organisations such as Health Works are helping engage groups who may face barriers to care, including people experiencing homelessness, ethnic minority communities and those affected by trauma.
A key theme emerging from the region’s work is the importance of personalised care. Research led by Professor Sue Sherman from the University of Sheffield, and Disability Rights Campaigner and Patient Participation Lead Samantha Renke has highlighted the additional challenges faced by physically disabled women, from accessibility issues to previous negative healthcare experiences. Their findings reinforce the need for flexible appointments, reasonable adjustments and a person-centred approach that focuses on individual needs rather than a one-size-fits-all model.
As Sharon Clark, Clinical Advisor for North East and North Cumbria Integrated Care Board, explains: “Prevention is the best intervention.” Through strong partnerships across primary care, community services, voluntary organisations and local communities, colleagues across our region are helping to create a future where cervical cancer becomes a disease of the past.

Eliminating cervical cancer is now a realistic ambition, and primary care teams across North East and Yorkshire are playing a vital role in making it happen. Through a combination of HPV vaccination, cervical screening, community outreach and personalised care, healthcare professionals are working together to reduce inequalities and improve access for women and people with a cervix.

The NHS Cervical Cancer Elimination Plan aims to reduce cervical cancer incidence to fewer than four cases per 100,000 women by 2040. Currently, around 2,700 people are diagnosed with cervical cancer in England each year and around 700 die from the disease, despite it being largely preventable through vaccination and screening.

In North East and Yorkshire, local teams are developing innovative approaches to reach those least likely to attend screening appointments. At Gateshead Health Foundation Trust, Women’s Health Hubs are bringing services together in one place, making it easier for women to access support. Community initiatives, including health screening buses, educational outreach programmes and partnerships with local organisations such as Health Works are helping engage groups who may face barriers to care, including people experiencing homelessness, ethnic minority communities and those affected by trauma.

A key theme emerging from the region’s work is the importance of personalised care. Research led by Professor Sue Sherman from the University of Sheffield, and Disability Rights Campaigner and Patient Participation Lead Samantha Renke has highlighted the additional challenges faced by physically disabled women, from accessibility issues to previous negative healthcare experiences. Their findings reinforce the need for flexible appointments, reasonable adjustments and a person-centred approach that focuses on individual needs rather than a one-size-fits-all model.

As Sharon Clark, Clinical Advisor for North East and North Cumbria Integrated Care Board, explains: “Prevention is the best intervention.” Through strong partnerships across primary care, community services, voluntary organisations and local communities, colleagues across our region are helping to create a future where cervical cancer becomes a disease of the past.

Funded by Humber and North Yorkshire Cancer Alliance and led by the Cancer Psychological Service at Queens Centre for Oncology and Haematology, part of Hull University Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust, the project uses virtual reality (VR) technology to support the mental and psychological wellbeing of teens and young adults undergoing cancer treatment.

The start-up funding was used in the summer of 2024 by the cancer psychology team at Queen’s, under the leadership of Dr Jennie Ormerod, Clinical Psychologist, to buy three specialised headsets, together with digital applications (apps) based on national research into the role of VR in supporting teens and young adults with cancer. The project team was also given permission to use Calm Zone, an app which offers guided meditation and relaxation experiences and developed by Dr Katherine Dawson at the Brain Recovery Zone.

The VR technology was introduced to teens and young adults undergoing cancer treatment on hospital wards at Castle Hill Hospital in Hull. One young patient who benefited from the VR therapy is Sophie (not her real name). Receiving treatment for acute lymphoblastic leukaemia, Sophie reported improved wellbeing after using VR technology during her hospital stay.

Following five weeks of intensive treatment, which affected her anxiety levels and sleep, she was supported by the hospital youth worker and psychology team to use a VR headset, including a guided ‘night-time wind down’ routine. The technology was also used to help manage her anxiety ahead of clinical procedures such as blood tests. Sophie shared positive feedback, highlighting the benefits of VR in promoting relaxation and helping her feel more connected to normal daily life.

Her experience also supported stronger engagement with the hospital’s cancer psychology team, enabling continued support by attending one-to-one sessions.

The VR technology project at Queen’s Cancer Centre has since expanded to include a broader patient age range. New patient feedback highlights the significant benefits of VR technology in supporting wellbeing during treatment.

A survey of 15 patients and carers found that all reported an improvement in mood after using the VR headset, with increases of up to seven points recorded. All the respondents described the experience as relaxing, with 90% rating it 10 out of 10 for relaxation. The majority of patients said they would use the technology again, with feedback reflecting emotional and therapeutic benefits. Comments included: “Breathing slowed”, “Did help my mood”, and “Really relaxing, could be a huge benefit during treatment”. Some users also noted the experience could be “quite emotional as well as relaxing”, highlighting its ability to support mental wellbeing and emotional processing during their care.

To increase awareness of virtual reality technology to support teenage and young adult cancer patients, the trust runs weekly drop-in sessions (see illustration). Held at the Queens Centre, on the Castle Hill Hospital site, these bookable 30-minute slots enable patients and their families to try out the headsets and VR applications to understand their purpose and benefits. Some of the project’s start-up funding was used to create promotional materials, including a banner at the centre to raise awareness and encourage participation. The sessions have been enabled by the Macmillan information team and run by a psychological support worker.

The cancer psychology service is exploring opportunities to expand the use of virtual reality to support patients across a wider range of treatments and procedures. Plans include the development of an immersive 360-degree VR experience of a PET-CT scan to help prepare and reassure patients who may feel anxious, alongside extending support for those undergoing blood tests, chemotherapy and other active treatments.

Dr Jennie Ormerod, Consultant Clinical Psychologist, said: “The future of cancer care is not only about new medicines, but also about improving the patient experience. Virtual reality has demonstrated its potential to reduce anxiety, improve patient wellbeing and enhance engagement with treatment. With continued evidence and investment, wider adoption across the NHS could help make innovative, patient-centred care accessible to more people, regardless of where they receive treatment.”

Lucy Turner, Managing Director, Humber and North Yorkshire Cancer Alliance, said: “The Cancer Alliance was delighted to fund this innovative project as part of our inaugural Cancer Innovation Grants scheme in 2024/25. The psychological impact of cancer can be just as significant as the physical effects of treatment, particularly for teenagers and young adults whose lives are disrupted at such a crucial stage. This project demonstrates how relatively small investments in innovation can make a meaningful difference to patients’ wellbeing, helping to reduce anxiety, improve coping and encourage engagement with psychological support.”

• Video: Using VR technology to support people with a cancer diagnosis (Humber and North Yorkshire Cancer Alliance). Dr Jennie Ormerod, Consultant Clinical Psychologist, and Chris Kelly, Assistant Psychologist, discuss the use of virtual reality technology in supporting patients with a cancer diagnosis.

Women being treated for breast cancer at The James Cook University Hospital are benefiting from an innovative surgical technique designed to prevent lymphoedema, a painful and lifelong side effect that can develop following cancer surgery. Known as lymphatic bypass supermicrosurgery, the procedure reconnects tiny lymphatic vessels to veins and has the potential to reduce the risk of lymphoedema from around 50% to just 4% for women undergoing axillary clearance surgery. The South Tees team hopes to make the technique available to more breast cancer patients across Teesside, helping improve their long-term quality of life following treatment. Discover more about the pioneering procedure and the patients already benefiting from it on the South Tees Hospitals website.

Humber Health Partnership was awarded funding from Humber and North Yorkshire Cancer Alliance to deliver the International Ovarian Tumour Analysis (IOTA) ADNEX proof of concept study. Ultrasound imaging is typically the first-line diagnostic tool for investigating gynaecological pathology. However, the imaging characteristics of benign and malignant lesions can often overlap, making diagnosis challenging.

To support clinicians, IOTA has developed a risk prediction model known as ADNEX. This software package can be installed on ultrasound machines and combines clinical and imaging predictors to assess the likelihood that a lesion is benign or malignant. Where malignancy is identified, the model can also help determine the specific type of tumour, supporting more accurate diagnosis and treatment planning. Find out more in this video from Humber Health Partnership.

Patients undergoing cancer surgery at Dewsbury District Hospital are benefiting from a new state-of-the-art da Vinci Xi surgical robot, installed by Mid Yorkshire Teaching NHS Trust. The technology allows surgeons to carry out complex procedures, including bowel cancer surgery, through smaller incisions and with greater precision, helping patients experience less pain, fewer complications and a quicker recovery. Among the first patients was 83-year-old Simon Kent from Batley, who underwent robotic surgery to remove a cancerous part of his bowel and is now recovering well at home. Read Simon’s story and find out how robotic surgery is improving cancer care for patients at Dewsbury District Hospital.

West Yorkshire Association of Acute Trusts (hospitals across West Yorkshire and Harrogate)

WYAAT is leading the national rollout of a powerful new AI chest X-ray solution designed to speed up lung cancer diagnosis and improve patient outcomes.

Developed by Annalise.ai and funded through NHS England’s AI Diagnostics Fund, the software can detect up to 124 potential findings in under a minute, providing clinicians with annotated images to support quicker and more accurate decision-making.

With around 400,000 chest X-rays taken across the YIC trusts each year, the tool acts as a “second pair of eyes,” helping to prioritise urgent cases and enabling earlier intervention for conditions like lung cancer, where early diagnosis increases the five-year survival rate twentyfold.

The system is now live across all of our WYAAT trusts:

• Airedale NHS Foundation Trust
• Bradford Teaching Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust
• Calderdale and Huddersfield NHS Foundation Trust
• Harrogate and District NHS Foundation Trust
• Leeds Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust
• Mid Yorkshire Teaching NHS Trust

Dr Daniel Fascia, Clinical Lead for YIC, praised the initiative for reducing diagnostic delays and tackling backlogs exacerbated by the pandemic. The deployment is part of a broader transformation of imaging services, with national leaders, including Peter Kyle MP, hailing it as a vital step in harnessing innovation to save lives across the NHS.

Sheffield Teaching Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust has expanded access to robotic-assisted cancer surgery with a new da Vinci Xi surgical system at the Northern General Hospital, made possible by a £1.45 million donation from Sheffield Hospitals Charity. The technology allows surgeons to perform complex, minimally invasive procedures with greater precision and is being used to treat cancers including lung, bowel, liver, pancreatic, oesophageal and stomach cancers. The first cancer procedures using the new system have already included surgery for patients with lung cancer, with the technology helping patients benefit from smaller incisions, shorter hospital stays and faster recovery. Find out more about the new technology and how it is advancing cancer care for patients in Sheffield and beyond.

Leeds Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust has delivered a UK-first cancer treatment for a 92-year-old woman from North Yorkshire whose liver tumour could not be treated with surgery, radiotherapy or conventional chemotherapy. Using robotic needle guidance, clinicians carried out electrochemotherapy, a minimally invasive treatment that combines a small dose of chemotherapy with targeted electrical pulses to attack cancer cells more precisely. Follow-up scans have shown Brenda Iveson’s tumour has reduced by around 80%, and the treatment is now being studied through a major European research trial to understand how it could benefit more patients in the future. Read Brenda’s story and find out more about the pioneering treatment being developed in Leeds.

Humber and North Yorkshire Cancer Alliance has awarded more than £325,000 to eight projects through its 2026/27 Cancer Research and Innovation Awards, enabling local teams to develop and test ideas with the potential to improve cancer services and patient outcomes.

Now in its third year, the Cancer Alliance-funded programme provides grants to help NHS, academic and voluntary-sector partners turn promising ideas into practical research and service improvements. This year’s successful projects span children and young people’s supportive care, new diagnostic tests, digital patient monitoring, ambulatory treatment, bowel investigations in rural and coastal communities, and action to reduce inequalities in lung cancer screening.

The funding gives teams dedicated support to test approaches that may otherwise be difficult to progress within existing resources, while generating evidence that can inform future decisions about wider adoption and investment. Read more about Humber and North Yorkshire Cancer Alliance’s website.

Leeds Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust is seeing an increase in its ambulatory chemotherapy (AC) numbers and in August (2026), treated five AC patients which is currently the maximum number that can be accommodated on the day unit.

Home or ‘ambulatory’ chemotherapy is an alternative to being admitted to a hospital ward for chemotherapy. Patients who meet the criteria can leave the hospital connected to a backpack containing a pump which continuously administers their treatment whilst at home or outside the hospital setting. Patients receiving AC can leave the hospital and be at home, including overnight, with daily visits to the hospital instead of a long inpatient admission.

Being at home means that patients can be more comfortable and better rested, socialise with friends and family, eat their favourite foods and be more distracted from their treatment. Caring for a child at home also eases the burden on parents and carers. The service is receiving an excellent uptake and feedback from patients and families has been positive.

The project has been nominated by colleagues and shortlisted for a Leeds Children’s Hospital Kite Award in the Innovation Champion category. The awards event will be held on Friday 2 October. In addition, Sandra Burns, Lead Technician Paediatric Chemotherapy Quality Improvement and Ambulatory Care and colleague Vicky Holden, have been invited to present the project at the National Neonatal and Paediatric Pharmacy Group Conference in October.

Newcastle Hospitals and the Sir Bobby Robson Foundation are developing a new £30 million cancer research institute next to the Northern Centre for Cancer Care at the Freeman Hospital. Due to open in 2028, the three-storey facility will bring cancer and blood disorder research teams together and increase capacity for larger and more complex clinical trials. The institute is expected to increase research activity by around 50% over five years, giving more eligible patients access to innovative treatments and helping Newcastle teams contribute to advances in cancer care locally, nationally and internationally. Find out more about the Sir Bobby Robson Institute and the plans for this major new cancer research facility.

Researchers in Leeds have led a major clinical trial which could change how early-stage anal cancer is treated around the world. The ACT4 PLATO trial found that a shorter course and lower dose of radiotherapy was highly effective, while reducing the side effects and treatment burden experienced by patients. Three years after treatment, 87.6% of patients receiving the lower dose remained cancer-free, compared with 83.6% receiving the standard dose, with patients also reporting fewer side effects. The international significance of the findings could see a more personalised and less intensive approach adopted for patients with early-stage anal cancer. Read more about the Leeds-led research and the patients who helped make this breakthrough possible.

Newcastle Hospitals is taking part in a major UK clinical trial investigating whether proton beam therapy can improve survival for people with mesothelioma, a rare and aggressive cancer affecting the lining of the lung. The HIT-MESO trial is the first randomised UK trial of proton beam therapy for mesothelioma and hopes to increase two-year survival rates from around 30% to 50%. The Freeman Hospital is one of 23 NHS centres recruiting patients, giving eligible people across the region access to the potentially life-changing treatment. By targeting tumours more precisely while reducing radiation to healthy organs, researchers hope the approach could improve survival and quality of life and, if successful, help shape future treatment for mesothelioma nationally.

Read more from Newcastle Hospitals.

Funding from the West Yorkshire and Harrogate Cancer Alliance has enabled the delivery of cutting-edge technological initiatives to improve radiotherapy for patients with brain and liver cancer.

Working in partnership with technology company Philips, the Leeds Cancer Centre, St James University Hospital, is leading clinical innovation aimed at improving the planning of brain and liver radiotherapy respectively in two phases, by integrating advanced imaging techniques into the clinical pathway to deliver more precise and personalised care.

Read more at the West Yorkshire and Harrogate Cancer Alliance website.

The Humber and North Yorkshire 10 Year Cancer Plan sets out a shared vision for improving cancer outcomes, experiences and quality of life across the region. Developed by Humber and North Yorkshire Cancer Alliance, with patients, carers, communities and healthcare professionals, it provides a framework for delivering earlier diagnosis, faster treatment, more personalised care and reduced inequalities. As Managing Director Lucy Turner explains, the Cancer Alliance, with partners, will build on existing progress, embrace innovation and work towards a future where more people survive and live well with and beyond cancer.

I am delighted to introduce our 10 Year Cancer Plan and the ambition it sets for the future of cancer care across our region.

Around 12,000 people are diagnosed with cancer in Humber and North Yorkshire every year. Behind every diagnosis is a person, a family and a community whose lives are changed forever. That is why this plan is about much more than targets and performance measures – it is about improving outcomes, experiences and quality of life for our people.

Humber and North Yorkshire Cancer Alliance welcomes the publication of the National Cancer Plan and the commitment to reform of cancer services it provides. The development of a Humber and North Yorkshire 10 Year Cancer Plan supports the ambitions of the National Cancer Plan and provides a tailored approach to reflect our region’s diverse geography and communities.

Our plan aligns with the national ambition that by 2035, 3 in 4 people diagnosed with cancer will survive for at least 5 years. It is an ambitious goal, but one I believe is achievable if we continue to work together across our health and care system, alongside our communities, patients and partners.

What makes this plan particularly important is that it has been shaped by local voices. Over the last year, we spoke to more than 1,700 people, including patients, carers, members of the public and healthcare professionals. They told us what matters most to them: earlier diagnosis, faster access to treatment, better communication, more local services and stronger support during and after cancer treatment. We have listened.

A central priority over the next decade will be diagnosing cancer earlier. We know that early diagnosis saves lives, and there is no route to better cancer outcomes without it. We will continue to expand access to screening programmes, increase awareness of cancer symptoms and make better use of innovative diagnostic services in local communities. Our Community Diagnostic Centres and NHS Lung Cancer Screening Programme are already helping us identify cancers earlier, when treatment is often more successful.

At the same time, we are determined to reduce waiting times and improve access to treatment. Nobody should face unnecessary delays when they are worried about cancer or waiting to begin treatment. By improving pathways, embracing innovation and making the best use of technology, we will continue to support our providers to deliver faster, more efficient care.

The plan also reflects a fundamental shift in how we think about cancer care. Increasingly, people are living longer with and beyond cancer, and our services must evolve to meet their changing needs. We want care to fit around people’s lives, not the other way around. That means providing personalised care plans, offering holistic support, improving access to rehabilitation and wellbeing services, and giving patients greater control over their care. It also means delivering more care closer to home wherever it is safe and appropriate to do so.

I am particularly excited by the innovation already taking place across Humber and North Yorkshire. From home-based chemotherapy and digital monitoring tools to specialist survivorship services and community-based support programmes, we are already seeing how new approaches can improve both outcomes and patient experience.

However, we also know that not everyone experiences cancer care equally. Too many people still face barriers because of where they live, their circumstances or the communities they belong to. Tackling inequalities will remain at the heart of everything we do. We are committed to ensuring that everyone has fair access to prevention, screening, diagnosis, treatment and support, regardless of their background.

The Humber and North Yorkshire 10 Year Cancer Plan is intended to provide an overall framework rather than a detailed implementation plan. While it outlines the direction of travel for cancer services across Humber and North Yorkshire, the precise mechanisms for delivering all the ambitions of the national plan are still being developed. Implementation will evolve over time as national guidance continues to emerge, as evidence and innovation develop, and as system partners work together to determine the most effective approaches for our local population.

As such, this plan should be viewed as a living document. Delivery plans, milestones and measures will continue to be refined through collaboration with partners, clinicians, patients and communities. What will not change is our commitment to working together to deliver the very best cancer care for the people of Humber and North Yorkshire.

The next decade presents an opportunity to transform cancer outcomes across our region. By listening to our communities, supporting our incredibly talented and dedicated cancer workforce, embracing innovation, and keeping patients at the centre of everything we do, I am confident that we can make that vision a reality.

In June 2025, Northumbria Healthcare launched the Northumbria cancer app to help support patients and their families, with funding support from Bright Charity.

Based on the trust’s cancer information and support website, the app was developed to make it even quicker and easier for people to access the support they need.

Since its launch, the app has been used more than 22,500 times, helping guide patients and their families to a wide range of support services, from information on the cost of cancer and local community resources to mental wellbeing advice and much more.

The app has continued to evolve throughout the year, with regular updates informed by user feedback to ensure it meets the changing needs of patients.

To access the app, users can download the Healthzone UK app from the Google Play Store or Apple App Store by searching for “Northumbria cancer”.

Read more about the cancer app at Northumbria Healthcare news stories.

The approach to building and developing a cancer strategy with impact across South Yorkshire and Bassetlaw is centred firmly around effective partnership working. With five clear aims, the strategy was initially developed by the Alliance and set out to embrace all sectors and communities, encouraging each to work together to tackle the higher-than-average rates of cancer in South Yorkshire and Bassetlaw (SYB).

Known as SYB Shows Up, it is described as a social movement, inspiring and motivating people of all ages and backgrounds into thinking about how cancer affects them – as individuals, within their families, among their friends and in their places of work and learning – and how they can help to turn the tide on its high incidence. Since the introduction of the strategy in mid-2024, we are pleased to see that much of its aims align perfectly with those of the NHS National Cancer Plan launched in early 2026.

The bold ambitions of Shows Up are

• for cancer to be recognised and treated as a long term condition
• to increase people’s participation in measures to prevent cancer
• to help close the gap on the rates of cancer between the least and most deprived communities
• to get three out of four cancers diagnosed at a much earlier stage, and
• to significantly reduce the number of premature deaths under the age of 75.

‘Shows Up’ means showing up for each other to help realise those ambitions, with the emphasis clearly on cancer being everyone’s business and responsibility, and not just that of the health sector and Cancer Alliance.

Along with a dedicated website and a wealth of resources created with researchers and experts in employment, health and education, the Shows Up strategy has helped shape new connections and networks between employers, charities, researchers, schools, colleges, universities, businesses and more.

The Weston Park Cancer Charity is one of the partners proactively promoting Shows Up through its volunteers, its workshops and events and its Big Purple Bus which takes cancer support services and healthcare professionals directly into communities with a particular focus on reaching those who don’t normally engage.

Other great examples of partnership working and strategy promotion include workshop sessions with young people, employers and the Mayor of South Yorkshire who enthusiastically sponsors Shows Up as part of his wider manifesto on health. The Mayor is featured in some of our promotional videos expressing the importance of working together and the role that employers can play.

As a result, employers across the region have been signing up to Shows Up and pledging to do their bit to help tackle cancer. Some are adapting their processes and practices around the health and welfare of their staff to be more supportive of those going through treatment and wanting to return to work.

As well as encouraging colleagues to have open conversations about cancer, some employers are now joining forces to develop a training programme for managers, helping them to recognise the issues and deal with people compassionately. An employers’ online hub has been established under Shows Up encouraging a proactive approach to cancer in the workplace. It houses lots of resources and is a place employers can share their ideas, experiences and practices with others. And the Alliance has been strengthening its relationship with the South Yorkshire Combined Mayoral Authority which also has a strong agenda on health and engaging with employers.

Other areas of the Alliance’s work which sit under the Shows Up umbrella include the Personalised Care strategy which has been co-designed and co-produced with people with lived experience of cancer across our region.

Patients and their families are among those who have told us what practical and psychosocial help and advice they want access to, and so our colleagues across the health and VCSE sectors have helped source and share a wealth of information and resources that can be found on a dedicated section of the Shows Up website.

Much of this work has been captured in local campaigns, promotions and videos which are shared across our partners and the media. Our YouTube channel showcases all the films made as part of Shows Up, including the most recent which tackles some of the myths around the disease held by young people, and addresses some of the traditional taboos.

This powerful film features three young people who candidly share their experiences of cancer diagnosis and treatment with the message that we need to talk about it. The film is being shared more widely in educational settings and youth forums as well as professional circles where it is hoped it can influence and encourage thinking and action. Film is one of many media tools being used by the Cancer Alliance to promote healthy lifestyles, the timely presentation of symptoms, and effective screening and immunisation programmes.

Our successful Peace of Mind campaign which first ran across social media and local radio adverts in 2024, was repeated again in 2025-2026. With strong messages to people about seeing a GP if they experienced any unusual symptoms, the campaign reached almost a million people, with phase two achieving engagement from more than 800,000 across the region.

One of the schemes we’ve invested in is the Active Together cancer exercise treatment service, which is being rolled out across the region by Yorkshire Cancer Research, helping people prepare for and recover from their cancer treatment through exercise, nutrition and wellbeing support.

Such prehabilitation and rehabilitation is just one of the areas of focus for the Alliance’s neighbourhood cancer care model which is being developed in line with the Government’s ambition for bringing more personalised and holistic cancer support closer to where people live.

Our vision is to bring together primary and secondary care, VCSE organisations, community assets and people affected by cancer to deliver coordinated, personalised support throughout the cancer pathway.

The appointment of a new regional health commissioner for South Yorkshire to support delivery of the government’s health plans, alongside the Mayor’s commitment to tackling health inequalities through Shows Up, creates a unique opportunity to redesign cancer care around people’s lives and aligns well with our emerging approach to neighbourhood cancer care.

This is also one of the areas in which our well-established People Affected by Cancer Advisory Board (PABCAB) is invited to play a vital role. As well as sharing their personal stories in film and giving their thoughts and expertise on the resources created by Shows Up, the group influences much of the Alliance’s day-to-day work and planning. Recent work with advisory board includes co-production of the personalised care strategy launched in 2025; having direct input into the emerging cancer research strategy; reviewing new cancer services and critiquing existing ones; re-writing patient information; and designing checklists for Multi-Disciplinary Teams to consider cancer patient preferences in their treatment discussions.

The advisory board will be instrumental in co-designing neighbourhood cancer care across SYB and have a prominent voice on the partnership which is being established in 2026 to drive the person-centred model forward.

Visit www.sybshowsup.com for more information.

Photos:

• Sheffield College students at the screening of a Shows Up film in which young people with lived experience tell their stories.
• Students at Fir Vale School in Sheffield film for a HPV vaccination-awareness video for the Shows Up strategy.
• Many employers are on board with the Shows Up partnership strategy, including South Yorkshire Fire and Rescue Service.
• Mayor of South Yorkshire Oliver Coppard sponsors the Shows Up strategy as part of his wider manifesto on health.

Blog: Dr Joe Joseph, Consultant haematologist and Chemotherapy lead at The Rotherham NHS Foundation Trust

As a Consultant Haematologist and Chemotherapy Lead, I’m aware of the burden repeated hospital visits can have on people receiving cancer treatment. Several years ago, a friend of mine in the West Midlands was receiving chemotherapy at home. Seeing the positive impact this had on their quality of life prompted me to explore the possibility of offering a similar service to cancer patients at my own trust in South Yorkshire.

Sometimes, patients tell us about the additional challenge of travelling regularly to hospital for their chemotherapy treatment. Travel may depend on a family member taking time off work. Parking at busy hospital sites can add stress and for patients with compromised immune systems, the risk of infection in a hospital setting may be a concern.

When we examined this more closely, we found that a typical chemotherapy visit could take around four and a half hours end‑to‑end. This represents a substantial burden for patients and carers, and a demand on day‑ward capacity and nursing time. I could see clear benefits all round if we could safely deliver some treatments in patients’ homes.

Advances in treatment mean some anticancer therapies previously delivered intravenously can now be given subcutaneously. With patient safety as the overriding principle, I explored whether a home‑based chemotherapy service could be developed for suitable haematology patients. I approached pharmaceutical company Janssen to discuss funding a one‑year pilot focused on subcutaneous chemotherapy delivered in the community. The pilot was supported with an £80,000 grant, alongside approval from the Trust’s executive team.

At the end of the pilot, I approached the Trust executive team to make the service permanent. This was unanimously supported, and the service is now directly funded by the Trust.

The service launched in April 2023 with two chemotherapy‑trained nurses delivering treatment in patients’ homes, supported by the Trust’s chemotherapy pharmacists, haematology specialist nurses and an advanced nurse practitioner. Initially, we treated five to 10 patients per week with two drugs for multiple myeloma.

All patients begin treatment on a hospital day ward and only move to home delivery once they have demonstrated good tolerance without significant side effects. This stepped approach ensures clinical safety while building patient confidence. Treatment time in the home is around 20 minutes. Patients no longer need to travel or arrange parking, and relatives  don’t need to be present. For many patients, receiving treatment in their own home significantly reduces stress. As well as benefits for the patient, the chemotherapy at home service reduces occupancy on day wards and frees up nursing time, allowing services to focus on patients who require hospital‑based care.

The service aligns closely with the ambitions set out in the NHS 10 Year Health Plan to move care from hospitals into community settings and people’s homes, where it is safe and appropriate to do so. The service has gained recognition through a presentation at the British Society for Haematology annual conference in 2024, and a Chief Executive’s Award at the Trust’s annual ceremony in 2025.

Our home chemotherapy service is delivered by two highly-dedicated chemotherapy nurses, Hannah Newell and Amy Kemp. Rotherham’s home chemotherapy service is available to patients with a range of cancers including newly diagnosed multiple myeloma (both transplant eligible and ineligible), relapsed myeloma patients, those with acute myeloid leukaemia and lymphoma patients on maintenance treatment.

We have treated over 200 patients at home with anti-cancer drugs and have given over 3,000 doses of anti-cancer drugs as home treatment. Two patient surveys have shown great levels of satisfaction with our home chemotherapy service. Our experience in Rotherham demonstrates that home‑based chemotherapy can be delivered safely in a district general hospital setting, with the right clinical leadership, governance and multidisciplinary support. For patients, this approach delivers care that fits better around their lives. For the NHS, it represents a practical way of improving experience, making effective use of resources, and delivering care closer to home.

The patient’s voice. Tom, 88, from Rotherham, is in remission for his cancer and says he has benefited enormously from the at-home chemotherapy service. Prior to the at-home service becoming permanent at The Rotherham NHS Foundation Trust, Tom accompanied Dr Joseph to an NHS trust board meeting to explain how the pilot phase of the at-home service had benefited him.

Tom said: ‘I have benefited enormously from the at-home service and it saves me a lot of time. It’s made life easier, there’s no doubt about that.

‘The chemotherapy nurse visits my home every month and the appointment lasts about 20 minutes. Next week, she will be coming again to give me my chemotherapy injection and will bring with her a month’s supply of the pills I need regularly. She picks up that prescription beforehand from the hospital’s pharmacy.

‘I see the same nurse every month. It’s a friendly relationship and we’ve been meeting like this for two-plus years. She is extremely helpful. For example, on one visit she noticed my blood pressure was a bit high and arranged a prescription for the appropriate medication.

‘In the early days of my cancer treatment going into hospital often meant seeing a different nurse each time. You could be there for three or four hours and then have to wait for up to three quarters of an hour to see the hospital pharmacist. Whereas now, I don’t have to go to the hospital for my chemotherapy and I don’t have to park a car.’

• Dr Joseph has been a consultant haematologist in South Yorkshire for 25 years. Prior to joining The Rotherham NHS Foundation Trust he was clinical lead for cancer and chemotherapy at Doncaster and Bassetlaw Teaching Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, and was the first Clinical Director for South Yorkshire and Bassetlaw Cancer Alliance. At Doncaster and Bassetlaw Hospitals he helped set up the acute oncology service and a one-stop clinic for fast-tracking diagnosis in patients with suspected prostate cancer. Dr Joseph also set up a ‘lump clinic’ at Doncaster to fast-track patients referred with suspected lymphoma.

Photo caption. Back row (from left): Dr Arun Alfred, consultant haematologist; Dr Joe Joseph, consultant haematologist; Louise Ollivant, Haematology Clinical Nurse Specialist; Suhani Ghiya, lead chemotherapy pharmacist; Front row: Gemma Warburton, Senior Cancer Services Pharmacist; Amy Kemp, Haematology Outreach CNS; Hannah Newell, Haematology Outreach CNS.

Blog: Wendy Burkitt, Cancer Information and Support Advisor (Healthcare Professional) at Weston Park Cancer Charity 

Hi, I’m Wendy and I’m one of the healthcare professionals for our Big Purple Bus initative, visting communities across South Yorkshire and offering life-saving cancer advice and information. Weston Park Cancer Charity believes that where you live, who you are, and your circumstances shouldn’t dictate the quality of the care you receive. With the Big Purple Bus now 13 locations, we’re actively tackling health disparities in Sheffield and beyond.

Helping people through the Big Purple Bus initiative

For nearly three years, the Big Purple Bus initiative has been bringing advice and support directly into underserved communities across our region. During that time, the charity team has connected with more than 21,500 people, attended over 500 community events, and established six peer support groups. As well as sharing important information about the signs and symptoms of cancer, the onboard team helps people access emotional support, financial advice, and complementary therapies.

Visits to workplaces and community settings

South Yorkshire has a higher late-stage diagnosis rate compared to many other areas of the country. In our ‘Talking Cancer’ sessions, we aim to increase awareness of the signs and symptoms of cancer, so that individuals can seek help as soon as they have concerns.

Our workplace ‘Talking Cancer’ sessions are particularly helpful for employees who are caring for a loved one or family member with cancer. Carers are often unable to take time off work due to financial concerns, and these events enable us to offer help at a time and place that is convenient to them. Over time, we hope this will help improve early diagnosis rates and ultimately increase cancer survival rates across our region.

Working with South Yorkshire and Bassetlaw Cancer Alliance

Weston Park Cancer Charity and South Yorkshire and Bassetlaw Cancer Alliance have worked together for many years with a shared goal: reducing health inequalities and making cancer support services more accessible across our region.

By working in partnership, we can reach more people and strengthen local initiatives such as the Shows Up campaign and South Yorkshire Mayoral Combined Authority’s Health is Wealth strategy – a mission-driven plan to ensure everyone in South Yorkshire experiences the best health and wellbeing possible. The Big Purple Bus supports both of these initiatives by sharing life-saving information and delivering support directly within local communities.

Weston Park Cancer Charity support services

At Weston Park Cancer Charity, we improve the lives of people affected by cancer by investing in research, funding treatment enhancements, and delivering a wide range of support services, including:

• Monthly peer support groups – these groups provide safe and compassionate spaces where people can share experiences, find encouragement, and connect with others who understand what they are going through.
• Welfare appointments with Citizens Advice Sheffield – discuss individual circumstances, explain what support is available, and help people through application processes. Since launching this service, there has been a £1,801,338 total income gained for clients for benefit support.
• Mindful Movement sessions in partnership with Community Wellness Service – low-impact, physio-style exercises designed for people who have gone through a cancer diagnosis and need support managing ongoing pain.

Collectively, these services help provide a more personalised and community-focused approach to cancer care – something that is becoming increasingly important within the future direction of cancer services nationally.

You’ll find lots of information on our website at on our website at Weston Park Cancer Charity. If you’d prefer to speak to a member of the team, you can call us on 0114 553 3330 or email bigpurplebus@wpcancercharity.org.uk.

You don’t need to book an appointment to visit the Big Purple Bus – simply check when we’re visiting your local area and pop along. Our team is friendly and welcoming, and no question is too big or too small.

• Video: Faye introduces Weston Park Cancer Charity’s Big Purple Bus and sets out the range of services available to people during their cancer journey.

Photos:

1. Wendy Burkitt, Cancer Information and Support Advisor at Weston Park Cancer Charity.
2. An education session delivered by the Big Purple Bus team to South Asian women at Unity Centre Women’s Group in Rotherham.
3. Weston Park Cancer Charity’s Big Purple Bus brings advice and support into underserved communities.

Patient Cancer Navigators play a key role in supporting people being investigated for lung cancer by coordinating appointments, improving communication between services, and providing a consistent point of contact throughout their care. The role helps patients better understand their pathway and reduces anxiety during what can be a challenging time.

Feedback from patients has been positive, with many valuing the reassurance and guidance navigators provide. Following the success of the lung cancer navigator role at Doncaster and Bassetlaw Teaching Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust (DBTH), similar roles have been introduced across other cancer pathways, helping to improve care coordination and enhance the overall patient experience. Read more at DBTH news.

Cancer patients often face long journeys and time away from work or family when attending hospital for chemotherapy. This creates additional stress, travel costs, and impacts on their quality of life.

Through a Cancer Alliance-funded innovation pilot, the nursing and pharmacy teams at York and Scarborough hospitals introduced home-based delivery of Subcutaneous Bortezomib. Patients were given the choice to administer their treatment at home following guidance and support from the clinical team. This was the first time this approach had been trialled locally, offering greater flexibility and autonomy for patients.

Patients reported significant benefits, saving an average of 2.5 hours per visit and reducing travel by around 17 miles. The approach has improved convenience, reduced disruption to daily life, and maintained safe delivery of treatment.

During 2026/27, Humber and North Yorkshire Cancer Alliance will work with York and Scarborough Teaching Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust to support the introduction of self-administration for other subcutaneous systemic anti-cancer therapy (SACT) treatments.

The initial focus will be on breast cancer, where existing regimens present a strong opportunity to broaden access to self-administration and realise benefits for a larger patient cohort. This approach will be especially beneficial for patients on the east coast, who frequently face extended travel times, helping to reduce the burden of treatment and improve equity of access.

A series of videos, designed to raise awareness of the support available in their local community for people affected by cancer, has been produced by the West Yorkshire and Harrogate Cancer Alliance (WYH)

Members of the Living With and Beyond Cancer team worked with colleagues, patients and carers in a number of partner and community organisations, including Leeds Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust, Halifax Opportunities Trust, Bless Community Support, Move Against Cancer; Maggie’s Yorkshire and Dementia Forward to produce the videos.

The films provide real life examples of the type of support available outside hospital in local communities and include topics such as cancer and dementia; prehabilitation and physical exercise; cancer and fatigue, as well as emotional and psychological support.

To view the videos visit the WYH Cancer Alliance website.

Several resources developed by West Yorkshire and Harrogate Cancer Alliance’s Living With and Beyond Cancer team to support people affected by cancer have proved successful.

The resources, including a poster, Z-Cards, an animation, and a social media GIF – raise awareness of the personalised care and support interventions available for those living with and beyond cancer. These resources help people understand what support is available, when and where to find it, and how to confidently access the care that’s right for them.

The resources have already generated national interest, with partners and organisations across the country keen to share and adapt them. This recognition demonstrates the positive impact of our work and dedication to improving the experience and wellbeing of people affected by cancer.

See Supportive conversations with your health professionals – what you should expect for further information.

A pioneering Community Thoracic Service and Day 1 Discharge Programme at South Tees Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust is helping patients leave hospital sooner and recover safely at home following lung surgery.

Introduced in 2025, the enhanced service provides specialist community support from advanced practitioners, thoracic physiotherapists and discharge coordinators, including home visits and virtual follow-up. This allows patients to receive expert care in their own homes while reducing the need for longer hospital stays.

The programme has reduced the average length of stay from 4.9 to 3.4 days, with more than half of patients now discharged within two days of surgery. Patient safety has been maintained, readmissions have remained low, and feedback highlights the reassurance and confidence provided by structured specialist support at home.

The initiative is expected to save more than 600 bed days each year, delivering significant financial benefits while improving patient experience. The team hopes the model can be expanded to support more patients and help modernise surgical recovery pathways across the NHS.