Professor Gary Higgs and his team have received a USW Impact Award for their research which aims to improve mobile cancer services. The research was a collaboration with Tenovus Cancer Care and ensures the provision of cancer treatment closer to patients’ homes by extending the reach of mobile services.
Professor Gary Higgs and PhD student, Richard Williams, of the GIS Research Group worked on the project ‘Improving mobile cancer services using open source spatial technologies’, developing tools and detailed GIS models to enable Tenovus to examine spatial inequalities in access to services and optimise the location and delivery of mobile health services.
This work will allow Tenovus to treat patients closer to home, extend the reach of services, and help reduce the stress, anxiety and fatigue to the patient.
Few of us have not been touched in some way by the impacts of cancer. Therefore, this research has been particularly rewarding given the need to reduce the distances involved to get treatment and advice. The benefits for patients at a particularly stressful time are clear – more convenient and accessible locations for treatment and environmental benefits in terms of reduced miles travelled.
The USW Impact Awards celebrate research which makes an impact on the community and wider society in Wales, nationally and internationally.