Table 6 Changed views after the study
The thing that has changed in my head about the community setting is about managing patient expectations. It’s whether or not community care is perceived as more as a second class treatment option just by being in the community, or is it the same standard and that is about how it is branded and marketed. The other thing that has moved or been challenged in my thinking is in terms of economy of scale: you still need a critical mass of nurses to deliver the care even to a critical number of patients and you have got to factor in travelling time which is down time. In order to create capacity we do need to have other options for delivering the service safely which comes down to how you market it. The other thing is, in order to make it cost effective you actually have to have the right kind of patients so it would make more sense if your shorter stay patients are seen in that kind of setting [GP surgery] at a high volume | Manager |
When you go into it you are always a little bit sceptical but, having being there and done it I was very impressed about how it had been set up, I think it went much better than I had anticipated that it would. Those who got the chance really, really enjoyed it | Chemotherapy nurse |
Before I started the trial I knew nothing about community chemo and now I feel I do and I think it is a good idea. I mean clearly there must be some situations and some patients who are so seriously ill that they may prefer the safety of the hospital at all times | Patient |
Well, I know my pleasure with the home visit is purely selfish, I can understand it will tie up individual staff and reduce the amount of people that can be serviced if you like. It is an ideal thing one to one service but I don’t think it is practical, you know, I mean I have seen it and I was really pleased that I was on the receiving end of the best option, but I honestly don’t think travelling around the countryside is practical for the health service | Patient |
Well, of course, initially, I was quite keen on being treated at home, but I have to say I think I have changed my mind on that, I am quite happy to go to the hospital, all the treatment is there, all the expertise is there, for me that felt more secure | Patient |
