Sign up to use the eHNA

The electronic Holistic Needs Assessment (eHNA) is a web-based means of providing a Holistic Needs Assessment (HNA) in a way that's simple and secure. All you will need is a digital device, such as a smartphone, tablet or computer with a web browser.

The eHNA will help you to:

• identify a patient's concerns
• start a conversation about their needs
• develop a Personalised Care and Support Plan
• share the right information, at the right times
• signpost to local support services.

HNAs are a key intervention of personalised care for people living with cancer.

We have more information and resources to help you carry out HNAs.

Our Learning Hub has an online community for those using Macmillan’s eHNA, which includes: How to Videos; Webinars recordings of partner organisations explaining their implementation and use of eHNA; Frequently asked questions and Question facility; and a useful Resources list.

The decision to use the eHNA should be made by your trust or organisation to support service delivery or development. Applications should be led by a lead cancer nurse or a similar senior decision-maker. If you only have one team who would like to use the eHNA, you can still apply to use the system.

Once your organisation is signed up, you’ll be able to add more teams when you’re ready. The eHNA team will be more than happy to provide advice on any eHNA development work within your trust or organisation.

If your organisation would like to use the eHNA, you should first contact your local Macmillan Quality Lead (QL) or Partnership Manager (PM). They will be on hand to work with your organisation to discuss the implementation of the eHNA.

We recommend that implementation of the eHNA is achieved through your steering or governance group. Key stakeholders should include:

• Your organisation’s IT lead
  This is to ensure you have the right infrastructure to support the use of the tool. You will need to consider Wi-Fi connectivity, equipment and any technology training needs.
• Your organisation’s Information Governance lead
  This is to ensure that they are satisfied that the storage and processing of information are in line with your organisation’s requirements.
• A lead contact for the eHNA team
  This is usually the person who leads on the application.

Most organisations take between 1 to 3 months to complete the signing of the contract and return this to us. If all the relevant information has been provided and your Macmillan contact supports your application, we should be able to get you set up on the system within a few days of receiving your contract.

It's free to sign up and use the eHNA assessment and My Care Plan website. Macmillan Cancer Support will fund the licensing costs for the trust or organisation to use the tools.

The eHNA questionnaire can be accessed on any electronic device with internet access. Individual organisations and teams will need to consider if existing equipment is suitable or if new hardware will need to be purchased.

The assessment can also be completed at home on any PC, laptop, tablet or smartphone so if your patients are able to do this themselves, you might not need to have as much equipment.

All training and information will be provided when you sign up to use the eHNA. You will receive a series of user guides on the front page of the My Care Plan website to guide you. The eHNA team can also visit your site to provide any training you may need.

Questions about the eHNA? Need help to get started? Get in touch with us at eHNA@macmillan.org.uk or call 020 7091 2015.

Alternatively, you can contact us by post: