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title: "Somerset Cancer Register and PKB"
canonical: "https://wiki.patientsknowbest.com/space/DEPLOY/3572924604/Somerset%20Cancer%20Register%20and%20PKB"
format: markdown
---
> Macro (toc)

The Somerset Cancer Register (SCR) Remote Monitoring System (RMS) integrates with Patients Know Best (PKB), providing a patient portal as part of the RMS offering.

The integration enables patients, carers, and healthcare teams to access a shared digital cancer record, supporting more coordinated care and remote monitoring.

Through the PKB portal, cancer teams can provide patients with access to key clinical information and approved resources.

# Overview of the Integration

The SCR RMS uses a native integration to transfer data directly into the PKB patient portal, allowing patients to view their cancer-specific information alongside other health records they may hold in PKB.

# How it Works

- Clinician opt-in: Data sharing is initiated when a clinician opts a patient into PKB within RMS.
- Historic data: On first opt-in, all existing data held in RMS is automatically uploaded to PKB.
- Future data: Test results/investigations are reviewed by the team; after review and comments, they are available for the patient to see in their PKB record.

This ensures continuity of information and removes the need for repeated manual processes.

# Patient Access and Features

Patients access their records via the PKB portal, which is accessible via the NHS App. The record is patient-owned and can be shared at their discretion with others involved in their care.

## Core Features

- Clinical data access: Diagnoses, laboratory results, and radiology reports
- Appointments: Diary view of upcoming engagements
- Resource library: Team-approved links, videos, and patient information
- Patient-entered data: Symptoms, measurements (e.g. weight, blood pressure), medications and medical history

This supports patient engagement and self-management while maintaining clinical oversight.

## Care Plans and Questionnaires

Cancer teams can use PKB functionality to support structured care and remote monitoring:

- Digital care plans: Shareable and editable plans outlining treatment and care
- Consent and pathways: Pre- and post-treatment information and digital consent
- Questionnaires: Collection of patient-reported outcomes and holistic needs assessments

## Integration Requirements

- Whitelisting: Standard HL7 whitelisting via the Trust integration/IT team
- No bespoke configuration is required beyond existing HL7 protocols

## Patient Registration 

- If an email address is recorded in SCR, an automated invitation is sent to patients
- Additional communication and onboarding processes are managed by the Trust


# Integration Workflow  

1. PKB: Sandbox Credentials are issued for the SCR Sandbox environment.
2. SCR: Configures their outbound feed to target the PKB Sandbox.
3. The Trust: logs into a PKB Test Account to verify that a "Test Patient" created in SCR appears correctly in PKB.
4. The Trust: Verification that edits in SCR (e.g., a change in address or a new lab result) trigger a real-time update in PKB.
5. The Trust: A clinical lead from the Trust signs a "Test Completion Note" confirming the data is accurate for patient care.
6. The Trust: Provides their static Production IPs;
7. PKB: Adds the static Production IPs to the allow-list.
8. PKB and SCR: Generate and securely share Production API credentials.
9. SCR: Updates their endpoint URL from Sandbox to Production.
10. SCR and the Trust: Send one "dummy" or "pro-vetted" patient record from SCR to PKB Production to ensure the pipe is open.
11. The Trust: Logs into the production patient record in PKB to ensure data appears as expected.
12. Clinicians can begin opting patients into receiving their data in PKB

# Key Points 

- A single clinician opt-in enables both historic and future data sharing
- No additional action is required after initial opt-in
- Integration uses standard HL7 processes, with no bespoke setup
- Patient onboarding depends on available contact details and Trust processes

# Further Information

- <u>[A use case story from East Sussex Healthcare NHS Trust](https://patientsknowbest.com/2024/04/10/implementing-virtual-reviews-to-support-prostate-cancer-patients/)</u>: Implementing virtual reviews to support prostate cancer patients
- Further information on RMS and implementation is available [here](https://www.somersetft.nhs.uk/somerset-cancer-register/about-scr-and-rms/)