Airedale NHS FT secures £228k for digital cancer care platform

Airedale NHS Foundation Trust has won £228,000 in funding from the West Yorkshire and Harrogate Cancer Alliance to improve its cancer care service with digital cancer care platform Careology.

From January 2025, patients at the trust will be introduced to the Careology app to support them through their cancer treatment, which connect them to their healthcare team.

In addition to the care and support the cancer teams at Airedale already provide, the app will enable patients to self-manage and better understand aspects of their treatment, including managing medication, side effects and symptom tracking.

Caroline Salt, lead cancer nurse at Airedale NHS Foundation Trust, said: “It’s exciting to see Airedale leading the way on the Government’s agenda for digital innovation within the NHS.

“Cancer care in particular has scope for innovative development, and we are taking a lead in delivering the NHS’ three Big Shifts to digital, care closer to home, and prevention through this new partnership which will benefit both our patients and clinical teams.

“This app is an exciting addition to the way our fantastic cancer teams work, to ensure our patients receive the best possible care at a difficult time.

“It means patients will have access to up to date information in the comfort of their own home, at a time that they need it most.”

Airedale’s bid for £228k was one of four out of 57 to win funding, with the aim of these projects to support innovation focused on cancer service recovery and development.

Recent data produced by Lloyd’s Clinical in partnership with Careology has demonstrated a 70% reduction in unnecessary hospital admissions for people being treated for cancer during a three-month period.

Paul Landau, founder and chief executive of Careology, said: “We are thrilled to be working with Airedale to address some of the challenges that cancer care is facing across the UK and beyond.

“As incidence rates of cancer rise, Careology’s technology is uniquely placed to enable more efficient care.

“By giving oversight of how patients are outside of their appointments, those who need in-person or urgent care can be triaged effectively.

“Not only does this improve individuals’ experience of treatment but also improves efficiency and services at a higher level.”

In September 2024, Careology partnered with charity the Ella Dawson Foundation, launched with The Royal Marsden NHS Foundation Trust, to offer tailored support to young people with cancer.

Meanwhile in November 2024, Airedale NHS Foundation Trust told Digital Health News that it has postponed the go-live of its Oracle Health electronic patient record system indefinitely to resolve any issues and ensure colleagues feel confident in using the new system.