In this episode of Taking Control of Cancer, Steve Bland is joined by Jay Scott-Nicholls, the Creative Director at
Circus, and Dr Adam P Januszewski PhD MRCP, Consultant Medical Oncologist, Quality and Safety Lead at Barts Cancer Centre to explore how digital innovation is transforming the experience of cancer care across north east London, focusing on the launch of a new virtual hospital tour at St Bartholomew’s Hospital.
Designed to help patients prepare for cancer treatment, the virtual tour guides them through how to get to their appointment and what to expect when they arrive, reducing uncertainty and anxiety at a critical moment in their care journey.
Recorded at the launch event at St Bartholomew's Hospital, the episode highlights how technology can improve not only the quality of care but also equity of access. By providing clear, visual, and accessible information, the virtual tour helps patients who may be unfamiliar with hospital settings, travelling from further afield, living with anxiety, or facing language or communication barriers. Importantly, it also aims to improve appointment attendance, ensuring patients are supported to receive timely care.
The discussion places the virtual tour within a broader programme of digital innovation across the North East London Cancer Alliance, including the use of AI to speed up chest X-ray reporting, animated videos to explain tests and procedures in simple terms, and chatbots that offer round-the-clock answers to patient questions.
Together, these tools demonstrate how technology can support patients before, during, and after diagnosis and treatment. Patients attending St Bartholomew’s Hospital are encouraged to access the virtual tour using the
link or QR code in their appointment letter to help them feel more prepared and confident ahead of their visit.
Read more about the tour:
https://www.nelcanceralliance.nhs.uk/news/launch-new-virtual-hospital-tour For more information about innovation in cancer diagnosis and treatment in north east London, watch this short video:
https://youtu.be/urpQ6-AnExc Let us know what you think!
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What is Taking Control of Cancer?
Welcome to Taking Control of Cancer, the podcast from the North East London Cancer Alliance. Think of us as your ‘how to’ guide when it comes to busting common cancer myths, overcoming fears and barriers, and improving cancer prevention, diagnosis, treatment and care.
This series aims to provide both patients and healthcare professionals with tangible things they can do to help when it comes to cancer. Whilst we know not all cancers are preventable, there are things we can all do that could make a positive difference to the health and wellbeing of our family, friends and colleagues.
There are two underlying themes across all episodes – the importance of early diagnosis, and reducing health inequalities.
Host:
Steve Bland is an award-winning podcaster and producer and one of the three presenters of the BBC podcast You, Me and the Big C, which was set up by his first wife - BBC presenter Rachael Bland - before her death from triple negative breast cancer in 2018.
Regular guests:
Dr Angela Wong, Chief Medical Officer, North East London Cancer Alliance:
Angela is a driving force behind improving cancer diagnostics for residents across north east London. As Chief Medical Officer for the North East London Cancer Alliance, Angela works tirelessly on delivering innovation and service improvements for cancer patients.
Femi Odewale, Managing Director, North East London Cancer Alliance:
Femi leads the programme teams from the North East London Cancer Alliance across three core areas of work: Early Diagnosis, Diagnosis and Treatment, and Personalised Care.