Being diagnosed with cancer can affect you in different ways. There are often many different aspects of your life that are worrying you at this time and it may be helpful for you to talk about these.
The Holistic Needs Assessment (HNA) offers you the opportunity to think about your concerns and then discuss these with one of the health care professionals involved with your care. You can then explore together possible solutions and support that may be available to you.
The assessment is called “holistic” because it looks at any needs or concerns that you may have about any area of your life.
“The HNA is about recognising that any area of your life affected by cancer is important.”
One of our health care professionals will talk to you about the HNA and ask if you would like to complete the assessment. Most patients find it very useful.
You may be offered an HNA at various points of your treatment pathway. You can also ask for an HNA at any time if you feel it would be helpful.
We will email or give you the details of how to complete it electronically. If you would prefer not to do it electronically, we can offer you an alternative way.
The assessment is divided into 5 areas of potential concerns. You should answer according to how you have felt in the last week:
- Physical Concerns
- Practical Concerns
- Emotional Concerns
- Family or Relationship Concerns
- Spiritual or Religious Concerns.
In each section you should choose which concerns are applicable for you. If none of the concerns are relevant, you do not need to select any and can move onto the next section.
Once you have submitted the assessment your team will be notified and will either telephone you or meet with you to discuss the concerns/needs you have highlighted. Together you will complete a Personalised Care and Support Plan looking at possible support solutions to your concerns.
You will either be emailed the details of how to complete the HNA or you will be given your individual login details.
When you login please give your date of birth and pin code. You need to consent to proceed and complete the assessment by the expiry date. Make sure you press “Submit” at the end.
You and your health care professional will discuss the areas of concern that you have highlighted in your HNA and will talk about the best ways to manage these. These suggestions and actions will be recorded in your Personalised Care and Support Plan. You might also be referred to other services who may be able to help you or provide you with information about who to contact for more help and support.
You will either be able to access your Personalised Care and Support Plan via your personal online account or you will be offered a copy. Your GP will also be sent a copy.
Your Personalised Care and Support Plan will be securely stored at all times.
You can ask for a review of your Personalised Care and Support Plan at any time and can request a new assessment whenever you feel it would be helpful.
If you have any questions regarding the Holistic Needs Assessment and Personalised Care and Support Plan, please speak with one of the Clinical Nurse Specialists (CNS) or any of the health care professionals involved with your care.
Alternatively please contact:
Royal National Orthopaedic Hospital Cancer Clinical Nurse Specialist Team
Telephone: 0208 909 5878
Email: rnoh.
Page last updated: 06 March 2025