Patients in a UK region faced significant challenges in accessing specialist care. Without a local service, individuals had to travel to a hospital in a major city, which was often a time-consuming and costly process. These travel demands created financial and logistical barriers, preventing some patients from receiving vital treatments.
The lack of a dedicated local service not only led to delays in diagnosis and treatment but also denied many the opportunity to access advanced therapies such as biologics. Addressing this care gap required an innovative solution that could overcome these challenges, create local access, and provide meaningful benefits for patients and the NHS.
To meet this need, the client partnered with CHASE and the NHS to establish a local specialist service at a regional hospital. This initiative was fully funded under the ABPI Code of Practice ‘Donations and Grants’ framework and involved CHASE playing a pivotal role in the design, management, and implementation of the project.
CHASE began by conducting a detailed assessment of the local NHS site’s requirements. Based on these insights, CHASE recruited and trained a Clinical Nurse Specialist to lead the service for three and a half days a week. Despite the absence of an existing local service and complexities at the project site, CHASE swiftly handled recruitment, training, and deployment. Within three months of receiving project approval, the specialist service was fully operational.
This service provided detailed diagnostic assessments, classifications, and multidisciplinary evaluations to develop optimal treatment pathways for patients. Eligible patients could begin biologic treatments locally, while those not requiring biologics were supported through ongoing management and consultant appointments within the same facility. CHASE continued to support the initiative with thorough project oversight, clinical supervision, and progress monitoring via data collection and impact analysis.
The local specialist service achieved significant outcomes within its first six months of operation. It enabled patients, who were previously underserved, to access care locally. The availability of biologic treatments in the region eliminated the need for expensive and time-intensive travel to a major city, addressing patients' logistical and financial challenges.
The pathway for initiating biologics, which previously took up to two years and included travel to two different city hospitals, was streamlined, allowing more efficient and accessible care. For stabilised patients, routine management and follow-ups were also integrated into the local service, ensuring continuity and accessibility.
This project created a sustainable and impactful service for the community, leaving a legacy of trained healthcare staff who can continue to deliver high-quality care. It also strengthened the partnership between the client, CHASE, and the NHS site, demonstrating how effective NHS–Industry Partnerships can enhance healthcare services for patients.
By combining expertise, collaboration, and innovation, CHASE demonstrated our ability to design, manage, and implement complex healthcare initiatives that deliver lasting benefits for patients, the NHS and industry partners. This project highlights the power of strategic partnerships in overcoming healthcare challenges and driving positive outcomes.
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