Uro-oncology Remote Stratified Follow up Pathway

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I have been moved onto the above monitoring pathway by Shrewsbury and Telford Hospital Trust. Is this the way all trusts are going?

My last face to face review was on 12th February with a personally requested meeting on the 16th April. It would seem that there will be no further planned face to face appointments unless I have changes in my circumstances and request one. From the leaflet that I have received it would seem that all I will receive in the future will be a letter quoting my PSA level after each six monthly blood test.

My journey through PC treatment is in my profile.

Thoughts and experiences of others would be appreciated.

Rod

  • Hi Oscar.

    I must admit I read through your history and got a bit lost. (It's ok, fairly normal Sweat smile)

    Just to clarify, your tumour was contained in the gland , you had RT and still on HT 

    PSA now very low, have I got that right 

    Best wishes 

    Steve 

  • Hi  

    My last Prostap 3 implant was on 23rd October 2024 thus I would have been due another mid January 2025 but the nurse specialist agreed that I was near enough to the requested six month period on HT after the end of RT to cease HT.

    Yes the tumour was contained within the gland and I did have 20 sessions of RT 18th July to 14th August 2024.

    Thanks for your interest,

    Rod

  • Ok Rod

    So if treatment is about to finish and it's just a question of monitoring PSA then that is for the GP to do, only time u would return to the cancer centre is if steep rises in PSA which would indicate a recurrance.

    So, on the face of it, all looks good.

    Steve 

  • Hi Steve,

    Yes all certainly looks good and so may it remain.

    I was just wondering if the process that our Trust has now adopted is more or less standard country wide. Until this change they (the hospital) arranged the blood test six monthly and then held a telephone consultation with the patient. It's that consultation that is now ended being replaced by a letter quoting the PSA level of the last test. At my last meeting I was told verbally that this was a Christies recommendation.

    Rod

  • Let's put it this way , when my radiotherapy finished in 2017 I have never seen a specialist or returned to the hospital.

    So fairly normal I would say but if PSA started going up you or the GP would need to contact them

    Good luck

    Steve 

  • Hello Rod ( 

    Yes, that's the new world - I am under The Christie in Manchester and ours is called PEASS (Prostate Easy Access Self Service).

    The Christie - PEASS

    For the last 2 years I have been under this having 6 monthly blood tests at my local hospice and only when I had 2 rises together did I get a face to face (and with the head oncologist no less).

    The system works well for me - although at some point in the next 12 months I will be back on treatment - but not unexpected.

    Kind regards - Brian.

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  • Thanks Brian  & Steve  

    That is what I expected, I'm all for streamlining and automating the NHS just as long as it all works to the patient's benefit.

    I'm astounded that our trust cannot send these results, appointments or similar as emails, they have to come as letters which must cost over £1 minimum each time! This from a trust that is going 'bust' according to their own CEO.

    Rod

  • Hello Rod ( 

    With PEASS once you are on the system it works like this:

    * About 3 weeks before your PSA Test is due you get an e-mail advising you to book it yourself on the booking page - there are about 8 remote locations around Greater Manchester. (you pick your location, date and time for the test).

    * You also get a general health questionnaire to complete - most questions about your cancer and urination/erections etc. Again all done online.

    * The day after your test you get an e-mail with your PSA results and if it's OK no action. If in my case it's rising a note of what they propose to do.

    * You also have 2 named CSN's with their telephone numbers you can contact Monday to Friday.

    No wonder The Christie is the 4th best centre of excellence in the world. I feel privileged to be a patient there.

    Kind Regards - Brian.

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    Strength, Courage, Faith, Hope, Defiance, VICTORY.

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