A GROUND-BREAKING new project will benefit cancer patients across the South West so they can be treated in their own homes by highly-skilled paramedics from South Western Ambulance NHS Foundation Trust (SWASFT).

This is the first time an ambulance service and Macmillan Cancer Support have worked together to train and support paramedics and clinicians to deliver care for cancer patients.

Where possible, cancer patients and those with palliative care needs or who are close to the end of their life will be able to stay at home rather than being transported to busy emergency departments.

Ken Wenman, Chief Executive of SWASFT, said: “It’s a ground-breaking project that delivers better care for patients where they want to be treated and reduces hospital admissions to emergency departments.

“We estimate that in a typical shift, each ambulance crew will attend a patient who has cancer, palliative care needs or who is close to the end of their life. This project enables us to deliver more appropriate care and in many cases, this means treating them at home.

“This approach enables us to deliver care more in line with patients’ wishes. We do of course still take patients to hospital where that is in their best interests.”

Elizabeth Wright, Macmillan’s strategic partnership manager, said: “Increasing numbers of cancer patients mean ambulance staff will inevitably attend more people with cancer. Patients prefer to be treated at home where possible and for many people at end of life that is also the place they want to die.

“Before this project, a 999 call would be far more likely to result in the patient being taken to hospital. This is changing for the better, giving ambulance service staff and patients more options.”

Joanne Stonehouse, Macmillan project lead for SWASFT, added: “Ambulance service staff naturally want to save lives and this is what they are trained to do.

“It’s just as important for our staff to recognise when keeping a patient at home is the best option for them and their family. We are giving them the tools, training and support to deliver the right care in the right place at the right time and avoid unnecessary emergency admissions.

“We are getting enquiries from other ambulance services around the country who are keen to follow our lead.

“Once the project has been fully evaluated and the model of care established within our systems, we’ll be able to share our knowledge for the benefit of patients across the UK.”

Macmillan’s initial funding was £1m for the project over four years. This has provided a dedicated team to deliver cancer care training for staff, including administering additional medications where appropriate.

It has also equipped paramedics with new skills to have sensitive conversations with patients and families when patients are in the last few days or hours of life or experiencing a significant health crisis.

The project also involves linking more closely with hospices, GPs and other services to provide continuity of care.