Successful initiative to be rolled out across the country.
A programme giving dedicated support to cancer patients
throughout their treatment will be rolled out nationwide.
Following the success of 12 pilot projects, which received over
£5 million in funding between 2022 and March 2025, an additional
£1 million will be provided annually to expand the Single Point
of Contact (SPOC) programme, reaching more people with cancer
than ever before. An assessment by Healthcare Improvement
Scotland found that over a 12-month period, SPOC services had
more than 30,000 interactions with people affected by cancer.
The SPOC makes life easier for patients with cancer, providing
easy access to clinical teams providing information and advice
about appointments, tests and results, and explaining what
clinical and non-clinical support is available for them and their
family.
Patient feedback from the pilots highlighted reduced stress
around appointments, quicker access to blood results, more time
for questions, and greater emotional support. Staff reported
improved wellbeing and more time for professional development and
clinical care.
Announcing the expansion at Forth Valley Royal Hospital, where
the SPOC navigation team has supported patients since early 2023,
Health Secretary said:
"I am very pleased to roll-out this invaluable initiative which
gives people with cancer a consistent contact throughout their
treatment, enabling specialist staff to focus on complex clinical
care.
"The Single Point of Contact service ensures cancer patients know
exactly who they can turn to when they need advice about their
diagnosis or care. The expansion of this programme means more
people can benefit from this type of one-to-one support which is
truly making a difference.”
NHS Forth Valley Deputy Medical Director Professor Karen Adamson
said:
"Digital follow-up for patients with prostate cancer is
transforming how we support people after diagnosis. It offers a
convenient and efficient way for patients to receive their
results and ongoing follow-up, without the need for unnecessary
hospital visits.
"In 2024–25, 391 patients received their results and follow-up
digitally, releasing the equivalent of 26 Clinical Nurse
Specialist clinics so more patients can be seen and supported.
Feedback shows patients value the service, describing it as
quick, convenient and reassuring.
"This approach reflects our commitment to value-based health and
care - improving patient experience and outcomes while making the
best possible use of specialist clinical time.”
Background
The SPOC approach was first introduced as a flagship action in
the 2020 national cancer plan Recovery and Redesign: An
Action Plan for Cancer Services and was extended
through the Cancer Strategy 2023 to
2033 and Cancer Action Plan 2023 to 2026.
Between early 2022 and March 2025, over £5 million was allocated
to 12 pilot projects. A further £1.5 million was provided in
2025-26 to ensure continuity with an additional £1 million per
year being committed going forward.
An assessment by Healthcare Improvement Scotland found that over
a 12-month period, SPOC services had more than 30,000
interactions with people affected by cancer. SPOC navigators also
saved over 3,970 hours of clinical nurse specialist time - the
equivalent of more than 107 weeks - freeing up clinical staff to
focus on more complex patient needs.
Health Improvement Scotland
assessment
Single Point of Contact
resources
