Out of Hours Oncology Medical Telephone Helpline Service

Descriptions

Oncology patients receiving systemic anti-cancer treatment require specialist assessment and advice, and early recognition of potential clinical emergencies and side effects of treatment. Therefore the provision of an out of hours oncology telephone helpline is essential to clinically triage patients using the UKONS validated clinical telephone triage tool. Experienced and qualified health professionals are required to manage the helpline as clinical knowledge is essential to signpost and manage calls appropriately i.e. patients with significant symptoms that need to be treated within very tight timescales e.g. neutropenic sepsis with a target of the patient receiving intravenous antibiotics within one hour of attending hospital. The assessment and advice given to a potentially ill patient is crucial in providing the best possible outcome.