A faster cancer treatment now available on the NHS

NHS England has begun offering a new one‑minute immunotherapy jab for tens of thousands of people receiving pembrolizumab (Keytruda), a treatment used for more than a dozen cancer types including lung, breast, head and neck, and cervical cancers. This new subcutaneous injection replaces the traditional intravenous infusion, which previously required patients to spend up to two hours in a treatment chair.  

How it works 

The new injection significantly reduces the time patients spend in hospital, helping them return more quickly to their daily lives. It also improves NHS capacity by freeing up treatment chairs, clinic space and pharmacy preparation time — a process that previously required sterile preparation of IV bags.  

Pembrolizumab works by activating the immune system to recognise and destroy cancer cells. The new format allows it to be given every three weeks as a one‑minute injection or every six weeks as a two‑minute injection, depending on the cancer type. Most of the approximately 14,000 people who start pembrolizumab therapy each year in England are expected to benefit from this faster method.  

For patients, the change means less time travelling, waiting and sitting in treatment units — a major improvement for those managing fatigue, mobility challenges or multiple appointments. For the NHS, it represents a practical innovation that increases efficiency without reducing the quality of care. 

For us in Greenwich 

As this rollout continues, Healthwatch Greenwich will be listening to local patients about their experiences with the new injection — whether it improves convenience, reduces stress, or changes how they manage their treatment schedule. Your feedback helps ensure innovations like this deliver real benefits for people across our community. 

If you or someone you know is receiving pembrolizumab and would like to share your experience, we’re here to listen.