Clinic-in-Residence: Supporting Families Through Cancer Treatment in London
How Nurse-Led Care at Home Reduced Burden, Built Trust, and Changed the Experience of Illness
Cancer treatment doesn’t only happen in clinics.
For many families, the most difficult moments happen at home — on the days after chemotherapy, when energy drops, symptoms fluctuate, and reassurance feels far away.
This London-based case shows how Livaware’s Clinic-in-Residence model supports not just the individual receiving treatment, but the entire family around them.
The Situation
A London-based client was undergoing regular chemotherapy. Treatment days were managed within a hospital setting, but the days that followed were increasingly difficult.
After each cycle, the client experienced:
profound fatigue and weakness
nausea and poor oral intake
dehydration and low blood pressure
anxiety about whether symptoms were “normal”
difficulty travelling back to hospital for support
Their family were deeply involved and attentive — but exhausted.
They became:
monitors of symptoms
decision-makers about when to worry
coordinators between oncology, GP, and community services
What they lacked was continuity and containment.
The Gap in Traditional Care
While oncology care was excellent, support between treatments was limited.
The family described feeling:
confident on treatment days
anxious and alone on “down days”
unsure who to contact when symptoms escalated
worried about overreacting — or missing something important
Hospital admission felt like the only safety net, even when it wasn’t clinically ideal.
Introducing the Clinic-in-Residence Model
Livaware stepped in to provide a Clinic-in-Residence — a nurse consultant-led supportive care service embedded into the client’s home life.
The aim was simple but powerful:
Bring the clinic to the person, instead of forcing the person back to the clinic.
What Support Looked Like in Practice
1. Nurse Consultant-Led Oversight
A senior nurse consultant took responsibility for:
holding the whole clinical picture
monitoring trends across treatment cycles
coordinating directly with oncology and GP teams
translating clinical plans into day-to-day reality
This created a single, trusted clinical anchor.
2. Chemotherapy Disconnections at Home
Rather than repeated hospital visits:
chemotherapy disconnections were safely carried out at home
the client could rest immediately afterwards
physical strain and emotional stress were reduced
For the family, this alone was transformative.
3. IV Fluids and Medications on “Down Days”
On days where symptoms peaked, Livaware provided:
IV fluids at home to support hydration
IV or subcutaneous medications as prescribed
close monitoring of response and side effects
This meant:
symptoms were addressed early
emergency admissions were avoided
recovery between cycles improved
Care became responsive, not reactive.
4. Coordination and Anticipation
Rather than waiting for problems:
symptom patterns were anticipated
escalation plans were clear
medication changes were discussed proactively
everyone knew who to contact, and when
The family no longer felt they were “guessing”.
5. Family Support and Trust
Over time, trust developed — not just in the service, but in the process.
The family reported:
less anxiety
greater confidence
relief at no longer carrying everything alone
They could return to being family, not full-time care managers.
When Things Changed
As the illness progressed, care needs increased.
Because the Clinic-in-Residence was already established:
transitions felt natural, not abrupt
conversations about future care were easier
decisions were made calmly, with context and trust
Supportive care evolved — without fear, without crisis.
The Outcome
Reduced hospital visits and admissions
Improved symptom control between treatments
Strong therapeutic relationships built on trust
A calmer, more humane experience for both client and family
Most importantly, the client was able to live better during treatment, not just endure it.
Why This Case Matters
This case highlights a truth often missed in cancer care:
Quality of life is shaped more by what happens between appointments than during them.
Our Clinic-in-Residence model:
supports treatment without replacing it
reduces burden on families
brings safety, clarity, and continuity into the home
Clinic-in-Residence & Supportive Cancer Care in London
Livaware provides nurse consultant-led Clinic-in-Residence care in London, including chemotherapy disconnections, IV fluids and medications at home, and full supportive care coordination.
If cancer care feels manageable in clinic but overwhelming at home, bringing the clinic to you can change everything.
Speak to our nurse consultants about supportive cancer care at home in London.