Cancer patients at Sandwell and West Birmingham NHS Trust now have access to a new smart phone app which will provide free tailored information at their fingertips.
The MySunrise app has been developed to support people from the moment of their diagnosis all the way through their treatment pathway and is expected to support thousands of people under the care of the Trust.
The organisation sees 300 new patients a year diagnosed with cancer and this app is accessible to those who wish to use it.
Jenny Donovan, Cancer Services Manager, said: “The app has already been a fantastic support for our patients, allowing them to access information they need at the press of a button.
“Content includes information about the different cancers we treat here, what public transport to catch, where to go for appointments, videos explaining a patient journey in an easy-to-understand way and patient stories, amongst other things.
“If there are any developments in the service, we will be able to share these, as well as information about our new hospital, the Midland Met, and what they can expect if they are being treated at the new facility when it opens next year.”
Funding for the development of the app has been secured through the West Midlands Cancer Alliance.
“We hope that it will make a big difference to the journey of a cancer patient,” added Jenny. “It’s being used at other NHS trusts across the country and the feedback has been excellent.
“Information will still be accessible through leaflets and the Trust’s website, but this now offers another avenue for patients to access what they need at their own convenience.”
Cancer patient Susan Whitehouse praised the app. She said: “It’s really good and it means I won’t have to keep ringing my cancer nurses every time I have a question, because I can find the answers on my phone.”
George Brighton, Chief Executive for MySunrise, the makers of the app, said: “We are excited to be launching the MySunrise Cancer Companion App at the Trust. This is a free resource for patients and their families to help support them through their cancer treatment.
“It’s been designed in partnership with the Cancer Services team at the Trust and includes a whole range of local information and links to give patients everything they need to help them through this difficult time. We’ve had some great feedback from patients and continue to seek the views of those using it to improve the app for the communities of Sandwell and West Birmingham.”
Debra Palmer, Senior Programme Manager, from the West Midlands Cancer Alliance said: “Working to improve pathways and the experience of anyone diagnosed with cancer is a priority for the West Midlands Cancer Alliance. We know that navigating your way through the cancer pathway can be really confusing and stressful. An app like MySunrise which brings all of the information you might need into one easily accessible place is so helpful to patients and their families at an incredibly hard time.
ENDS