OUH leading the way with innovative integration of psychological medicine into cancer care
06 March 2026
Oxford University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust (OUH) is one of the few hospitals in the world to integrate psychological medicine directly into their clinical cancer pathways.
In the oncology clinics at the Churchill and Horton Hospitals, we use an evidence-based approach called collaborative care. This ensures that all patients living in Oxfordshire who are receiving cancer treatment are offered personalised psychological assessment and support, alongside their cancer treatment. This reflects OUH’s commitment to providing excellent compassionate care.
Psychological assessment, monitoring, and treatment are a part of routine oncology and haematology care, enabling clinicians to respond swiftly and holistically to patients’ emotional and psychiatric needs throughout their treatment journey.
The service began in 2017 and, now in its tenth year, has had a consistently growing impact on patient care. In 2024, 18,355 patients were contacted, leading to 2,108 telephone reviews followed by timely treatment. In 2025, this increased to 18,986 patients contacted and 2,191 telephone reviews resulting in treatment.
Catherine Farrar, one of the specialist nurses in the Psychological Medicine Team at OUH explained:
"From the time a patient begins cancer treatment at OUH, they are offered a symptom check-up via text, email or on the phone, followed by a diagnostic telephone call if needed. These check-ups are designed to identify common physical and mental symptoms they are experiencing, what they are struggling with, and when more support might help.
"The results are uploaded onto the patient’s clinical record (EPR), giving the cancer team a real-time view of their symptoms. This means clinicians can adapt treatment plans with a fuller understanding of the patient’s needs and experiences.
"Patients who meet the criteria for a depressive episode on the assessment, are offered Depression Care for People with Cancer (DCPC) – a research-based treatment programme that has been shown to be effective which includes talking therapies such as problem-solving therapy, behavioural activation and antidepressant medication if appropriate."
A joined-up model of care
The Psychological Medicine Team works closely with patients' GP, ensuring continuity of support across hospital and primary care settings. This collaborative model allows specialists to prescribe appropriate medications, co-ordinate follow-up support, and create a robust, wrap-around care plan tailored to each person.
Dr Luke Solomons, one of our psychological medicine consultants who leads the integrated service in the cancer centre at OUH, said:
"Psychological wellbeing is an integral part of ensuring all our patients live well with cancer. By proactively screening all our patients for physical and mental symptoms and integrating this information directly into the clinical record, our teams can provide timely, holistic care in a way that truly reflects the patient’s unique situation. This seamless integration of hospital and community care places OUH at the forefront of national innovation in cancer support."
