Being diagnosed with sarcoma can affect you in different ways. To help us support you, you will be offered a short assessment to complete and then discuss with the clinical team. This assessment is called a Holistic Needs Assessment (HNA). It is holistic as it helps you to highlight concerns affecting any area of your life and how cancer diagnosis affects it.
You may have concerns that are important to you that you haven’t known who to talk to about. The HNA gives you the opportunity to meet with a member of the team to discuss these concerns. Your concerns may be physical, practical, emotional, spiritual or social. The HNA helps you think about and prioritise what matters to you, and what you may need support with. We can then help by giving you advice and also signposting you where to go for additional support.
You will be offered a HNA soon after your diagnosis and also at other important times, such as at the end of a period (phase) of treatment.
Please do complete your HNA as it helps the clinical team to support you in the best way possible.
“The Holistic Needs Assessment is about recognising that any area of your life affected by cancer is important.”
If you have signed up to MyCare, we will send you the HNA questionnaire to your MyCare app. If you are not registered on MyCare, we will offer you a HNA on paper or via email. Please let us know which you method you would prefer.
When completing your HNA you should choose as many concerns that are applicable for you. If none of the concerns are relevant, you do not need to select any.
Personalised cancer care allows you to take an active role in the way your care is planned and delivered by identifying your individual concerns and support needs. It puts you in control of your care, with help from your specialist team.
Once you have submitted your HNA, a member of your clinical team will be in touch to discuss the areas you have highlighted. Together you will complete a Personalised Care and Support Plan looking at possible support solutions to your concerns.
You may also be referred to other services who may be able to help you or we may provide you with information about who to contact for more help and support.
You will be able to access your Personalised Care and Support Plan in your MyCare app or you will be offered a copy via email or post. Your GP will also receive a copy.
You can ask for a review of your Personalised Care and Support Plan at any time and can request a new HNA whenever you feel it may be helpful.
If you have any questions regarding the Holistic Needs Assessment and Personalised Care and Support Plan, please speak with one of the Clinical Nurse Specialists (CNS), Cancer Support Workers (CSW) or any of the health care professionals involved with your care.
Alternatively please contact:
Royal National Orthopaedic Hospital Personalised Cancer Care Team
Telephone: 020 8947 0458 / 020 8947 0665
Ref: C25-05 © RNOH
Date of next review: January 2028
Page last updated: 20 January 2026