{
  "abstract": "Introduction In 2024, NHS England published minimum standards for the surveillance of Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). It encouraged pathway navigators into the service to improve access and patient engagement, thereby ensuring compliance with liver cancer surveillance. Our aim was to demonstrate improved patient engagement and attendance to surveillance scans.Methods This was a single-centre observation and quality improvement project (QIP) that comprised quarterly data collection over 15 months (Oct 2024 – Dec 2025). A local secure database with tracking system is maintained to hold a list of patients eligible for HCC surveillance. Patients were assigned the locally agreed code ‘Liver scan’. Relevant demographics and screening data were collected before and after the Introduction of a patient navigator to the service. The primary outcome was improved compliance and timely attendance to surveillance scansResults There are 838 eligible patients in Q3 2025 compared with 502 in Q3 2024. The mean age of the entire most recent cohort was 60 years (SD 11.9), and 60% were men. 98% of patients had known liver cirrhosis, and 60% were alcohol related. Surveillance scans were performed at a mean interval of 6 (SD 0.9) months from the index scanAttendance for surveillance scans was observed at 74%, 89%, 88%, and 82% during Q3 2024, Q4 2025, Q1 2025, and Q2 2025, respectively.A two-tier reminder system following non-attendance shows non-sustained improvement.In addition to the two-tier reminder process, a patient navigator was introduced to the surveillance scan service in September 2025, and compliance observed during Q3 2025 was 93%, a significant increase (p=0.024) from the average attendances of previous quartiles.Conclusion Patient navigators positively contribute to HCC surveillance scan attendances through individualised contact, reminders, and tailored appointments. In addition to two-tier reminders for non-attendance, there is a need for a personnel who proactively contacts all those on the surveillance list nearer to their appointment to maximise attendance.Reference https://www.england.nhs.uk/hepatocellular-carcinoma-surveillance-minimum-standards/",
  "authors": [
    {
      "affiliations": [
        "SouthTyneside and Sunderland NHS FT, Sunderland, United Kingdom",
        "Newcastle University, Newcastle, United Kingdom"
      ],
      "name": "Rohit Sinha"
    },
    {
      "affiliations": [
        "SouthTyneside and Sunderland NHS FT, Sunderland, United Kingdom"
      ],
      "name": "Nicola Wood"
    },
    {
      "affiliations": [
        "SouthTyneside and Sunderland NHS FT, Sunderland, United Kingdom"
      ],
      "name": "Natasha Douglas"
    }
  ],
  "title": "P72 Liver cancer surveillance compliance significantly improves by incorporating patient navigator in the service",
  "uid": "2786b9ea-6a41-5ab9-bb3e-f1a89cf23129"
}