Specialist nurse-led care has reduced the need for patients to be referred to hospital. Nicola Robottom discusses one trust’s success story

Since 2007, anti-cancer treatments, including intravenous chemotherapy, have been delivered in the community in Walsall by a team of specialist oncology nurses. The commissioned service has shown year on year reductions in hospital-based care, increased provision of care closer to home, and improved patient satisfaction. This article outlines the development of the service, quantifies some of its benefits, discusses the challenges and how they were overcome, and provides useful tips for others establishing a community-based, nurse-led oncology service.