Pioneers in patient care: consultants leading change
North East
Innovation: ‘The Sheffield Model of Supportive Care’ to encourage patients and their carers to be involved in cancer services and research
Professor Sam Ahmedzai
University of Sheffield Royal Hallamshire Hospital, Sheffield
Job title: Professor of palliative medicine
Specialty: Palliative medicine
A model for supportive care, developed by Sheffield-based Professor Sam Ahmedzai, has given people with cancer, their carers and support groups the opportunity to play an active role in the development and structure of cancer services in the region. Patients, their carers and support groups also have a greater say not only in how cancer research is conducted but also on what topics of research are taken on.
Professor Ahmedzai says: “The initiatives began life as a model I developed for supportive care which emphasises the needs of patients and their carers, alongside the importance of relevant investigations and the best quality treatments against the disease itself. My research group have operated a policy over the past three years of bringing in patients, carers and representatives from support groups into our research activity. Much of our research is concerned with supportive care issues; information about cancer, its treatment and patient attitudes to cancer trials. I also intend to invite users onto steering groups for our drug trials.
Last year I established a committee for strategic planning of supportive care research within our local cancer network. The group, called Supportive Care and Psych-Oncology Research Group (SPORG), has a balanced number of researchers and users. We hope to develop at least one study a year which is driven by users themselves.”
Users are also involved in the development of published information and education on cancer and supportive care. Professor Ahmedzai says: “At the moment we are developing two websites, one of which is for an internet and videophone based information and education service about cancer for patients and their carers, and another for teenagers whose parents have cancer. We are also on our third annual conference on user involvement in cancer and palliative care.”
Professor Ahmedzai says: “My team’s initiatives have helped to give patients a greater awareness and understanding of supportive care issues such as symptom control and psychological support, as well as the latest advances in cancer treatment. Patients have responded extremely well to calls for panel members and play an active part in conference planning and conference sessions. Two of our users have presented evidence to the House of Commons on the Sheffield approach.”
Funding for the projects has come from a range of sources including North Trent Cancer Network, the University of Sheffield, the NHS and a number of different local companies and charity organisations. Professor Ahmedzai says: “Our services could be improved by an increase in funding. We are pleased with the extra resources given to palliative care via the New Opportunities Fund and central funds, but we feel that supportive care deserves more ring-fenced funds.”