SafeFit Innovation Fund
What is SafeFit?
SafeFit is a research trial designed to support anyone in the UK with suspicion of or confirmed diagnosis of cancer. Cancer exercise specialists will offer support over 6 months to help individuals maintain and improve physical and emotional wellbeing. This is offered via telephone and video conferencing.
SafeFit is being delivered by a team at University Hospital Southampton NHS Foundation Trust in collaboration with CanRehab Trust and their fantastic cancer exercise specialists.
What does this project involve?
This innovation fund provides an opportunity for us to evaluate the training we provided to the instructors to enable them to support SafeFit participants to improve their diet and provide emotional support.
Using robust research methods including an online questionnaire and conducting interviews with the SafeFit trainers, we will get an in- depth picture of how effective the training was and what can be improved for the future.
Expected outcomes:
With this support from the Wessex Cancer Alliance we hope to optimise our training package, providing a model for future implementation. Upskilling this workforce will contribute to the care offered throughout the cancer pathway and help provide the holistic support that will benefit people affected by cancer.
I just wanted to take an opportunity to note how extremely beneficial I feel this programme is for me in terms of my physical and emotional health. My PT [personal trainer] is absolutely outstanding in terms of her ability to understand my prognosis, build an exercise plan which is truly benefitting me in terms of gaining physical strength and my confidence to be able to exercise safely. Her understanding, pace-setting, professionalism, experience and motivational ability is absolutely awe inspiring.
I am feeling so much stronger, fitter and confident in my ability to exercise, and in the benefits of it in terms of my cancer prognosis, after just 3 months of this programme. This is having a knock-on effect in terms of my emotional health as well.”
SafeFit participant
For more information please visit the SafeFit website and the Royal College of Anaesthetists News
Contact: Dr Chloe Grimmett c.grimmett@soton.ac.uk
Chief Investigator: Prof Sandy Jack
