Prostate Cancer Research embeds resources within NHS services
Feedback from prostate cancer patients indicated they often experienced treatment regret as a result of receiving little or poor information. Others felt overwhelmed with information that was not specific to their needs or ignored their ethnicity or sexual orientation.
To tackle this, Prostate Cancer Research, with funding from The National Lottery Community Fund, built an interactive patient information website called the infopool. The infopool provides clear and accessible information about treatments and their side effects in addition to providing support for side-effect management. Importantly, the infopool is PIF TICK-certified.
Embedding resources within NHS services
PCR then launched a targeted outreach programme that helped to embed this vital patient resource within NHS prostate cancer services. NHS hospitals were mapped and researched to identify relevant clinical departments, including urology, oncology and radiotherapy teams.
A structured database of hospitals and key stakeholders was developed to support targeted engagement. As well as phone calls to hospital teams, direct mailings to NHS departments and targeted educational webinars to engage specific clinical audiences, digital demonstrations of the infopool platform were also shared.
The programme engaged with regional Cancer Alliances, presenting to over 60% of alliances across the UK and securing 11 endorsements. In addition, as part of HCP outreach, endorsement was also sought through submissions and presentations to BAUN and EAUN, further strengthening awareness and supporting wider adoption across NHS services. This helped to strengthen awareness and support wider adoption across the NHS services.
Signposting from more than 200 hospitals
As a result of this sustained engagement, more than 200 NHS hospitals across the UK now signpost to or distribute infopool resources. The platform is also featured across NHS websites, including the national NHS website and is listed on Cancer Care Map, GatewayC, and Cancer Research UK.
Further signposting via Cancer Alliance platforms, local authority websites (including the Lincolnshire Connect to Support directory) and Healthwatch sites extends its reach across both clinical and community-facing channels.
Satisfaction from healthcare professionals
Findings from the charity’s survey in 2025 showed nearly 9 in 10 healthcare professionals were satisfied or extremely satisfied with the infopool.
And 7 out of 10 healthcare professionals recommend the platform to patients before treatment to prepare them for consultations.