We are listening - cancer services

Hello Everyone,

My name is Lynn,

I’d like to share some of the changes we are making within NHS Lanarkshire Cancer Services.

We know that people with cancer often develop new and acute problems which require an urgent response, either as a consequence of their cancer illness or as a result of some treatments. It is essential that all our patients are able to access the right advice, support and care at the right time.

Staff always discuss the potential side-effects associated with different treatments and medicines. It is very important that people know what to expect, what to look out for; and more importantly what to do if they become unwell. Patients receiving particular types of treatment have access to the National Cancer Helpline which was introduced in May 2014.

The National Cancer Treatment Telephone Helpline is staffed 24 hours a day and provides assessment, advice and support for people during Chemotherapy and Radiotherapy treatment and for up to six weeks following completion of this treatment.

                        

Patients who call the National Helpline are assessed through a series of questions using the United Kingdom Oncology Nursing Society (UKONS) triage assessment tool. If the outcome of this assessment is that that a physical assessment may be required, then patients are referred to the relevant Accident & Emergency department and the National Helpline staff pass the key information onto the department.

You’ve told us that you felt some of the attendances to the Accident & Emergency Department were unnecessary, or you felt that you weren’t able to see the right specialist member of the team which resulted in unnecessary admission to hospital.

In order to improve this we have appointed a Cancer Care Nurse Practitioner who will assess and support patients during episodes of unplanned illness. As of the 17th August 2015 the Nurse will receive all the referrals from the National Helpline and call the patient back. This service is available Monday to Sunday 9am to 5pm.

The Cancer Care Nurse Practitioner can then arrange for our patients to directly access the healthcare professionals who are familiar with their condition and specific needs. This may be on the same day, or within a day or two if appropriate. Patients requiring urgent treatment or care may still need to attend the Accident & Emergency department.

Our aim is to avoid unnecessary attendance, or admission to hospital for our patients with a diagnosis of cancer through improved clinical decision making by the Cancer Care Nurse Practitioner. Most importantly, the nurse will link between all the healthcare specialists and teams, such as oncology, medical teams in hospitals and in the community to make sure our patients receive the best possible continuity of care.

If you have an experience of the Cancer Treatment Helpline and onward referral you would like to share, please speak to a member of staff, respond on Patient Opinion, or visit the “Your Feedback” Section of the NHS Lanarkshire website to see the other ways to get in touch www.nhslanarkshire.org.uk.

We will continue to update you on future changes and improvements within Cancer Services via blogs on the Patient Opinion website.

Kind Regards

Lynn