Information for Patients and Carers Cancer Services

Transcription

1 NHS Foundation Trust Information for Patients and Carers Cancer Services This leaflet provides general information to help to support you during your treatment and specific information about the cancer team who will be looking after you. Who is responsible for my care? There are many people who are involved with your care. The investigation, care and treatment of your cancer will be undertaken by a group of doctors and other professionals with expertise in the specific type of cancer you have. This specialist group of professionals is known as a Multi Disciplinary Team (MDT). The MDT usually consists of the following people. Clinical Nurse Specialist (CNS) - A senior nurse who usually takes responsibility for coordinating your care and providing you with information, advice and support. The nurse is often referred to as a key worker and is therefore your link to the MDT. Surgeon A doctor who uses surgery to treat cancer Physician A doctor who uses medicine to treat cancer Histopathologist A doctor who examines cells or tissue samples under the microscope Radiologist - A doctor who reads x-rays and scans. They may also perform investigations or procedures. Oncologists - A cancer doctor who often uses chemotherapy and / or radiotherapy to treat cancer. Depending on your individual needs, other healthcare professionals (HCPs) may also be part of the team, such as a psychologist (a professional who specialises in exploring the mind and behaviour), palliative care doctor / nurse, physiotherapist, occupational therapist, radiographer, dietitian, speech and language therapist and social workers. Your actual MDT members are listed in the sheet that accompanies this leaflet. What is a Multi Disciplinary Team Meeting? Your team meets regularly and during their Multi Disciplinary Team Meetings (MDM) they discuss what further tests you may need, which treatment or treatments (if there is more than one choice) would be best for you and they also decide if it would be useful to involve any other professionals in your care. How will I be involved in decisions about my treatment? You will normally be given an appointment to come back to the hospital to discuss the outcome of the MDT meeting. During this appointment the staff will involve you in deciding which treatment plan is best for you. Once you have decided on your treatment plan, you will be offered the opportunity to receive some written information, often in the form of a copy letter, which summarises these discussions. You do not have to accept a copy of this information if you do 1

2 not want it. Your GP will also be sent a copy of this information. If you have not been given an appointment, or if you are in any way uncertain about your treatment options or plan, then please do not hesitate to contact your CNS / Key Worker. Is there anything I can do to help myself? Your emotional and physical wellbeing is important and everyone needs some support during difficult times. Talking about your fears or concerns with friends, family, members of the MDT or support organisations can sometimes help you to cope. Try to eat a well balanced diet, maintain a normal body weight and keeping as active as you can. If you are a smoker, giving up smoking is the best thing that you can do to help yourself. It is important that smokers try to stop smoking as soon as they can. Studies have shown (National Cancer Institute 2010) that people with cancer who continue to smoke: Experience more severe treatment related side effects which often last for longer than usual. Reduce how successful radiotherapy, chemotherapy and hormone treatments are in damaging cancer cells and getting rid of, or reducing the size of, a person s cancer. Increase their risk of developing a second cancer at the same or at another site. Can make existing health problems worse. Smokers are four times more likely to stop smoking if they do it with the help of the NHS and nicotine replacement therapy is often free for people with cancer. Any member of staff within the hospital can give information and advice about smoking cessation and there are many smoking cessation services available in local chemists and at GP practices. NHS Choices also provides a wide range of products to help people stop smoking e.g. quit kits, information leaflets etc. Telephone: (7 days a week 7am to 11pm) Your CNS or any member of the MDT can give you more information about the specific benefits of trying to keep healthy, active and stopping smoking in relation to your type of cancer. Where can I find additional information, advice and support about my condition? The professionals that are involved in your care will provide you with verbal and written information throughout your treatment. Your CNS / Key worker should normally be your first point of contact if you need information about your care. Cancer can affect many areas of your and your family s life, both during and after treatment such as finances, work, emotions and relationships. If you don t understand something about your cancer or your treatment or if you or your family need any additional information, advice or support it is important to ask. 2

3 Macmillan Cancer Support provides free, high quality information, advice and support to patients, carers and family members. Telephone: (Monday to Friday, 9am - 8pm) The deaf / hard of hearing can use their textphone service on , or the Text Relay system Their website has a wide selection of information which includes an on-line community where you and / or your family can talk to people who have a better understanding of how you may be feeling. You can also one of their specialists if you would prefer not to talk to someone directly. Website - Macmillan Cancer Information Centres that are run by a Manager and a number of volunteers. These can be found in many of the hospitals within the North of England. The Newcastle Information Centre can be found beside the outpatients department within the Northern Centre for Cancer Care at Freeman Hospital. Telephone: or Macmillan Centre Manager (Monday to Friday, 9.30am 4.30pm) Cancer Research UK also provides quality information for anyone affected by cancer. Telephone: (Monday to Friday, 9am to 5pm) There are a number of specific resources for young people who have a family member who has cancer. Please ask your CNS, the Macmillan Cancer Manager or a member of the hospital team for this information. Local Support Groups / Organisations The North of England Cancer Network s website has a list of local support groups for patients and carers Local tumour site specific support group: (CNS to add details) Coping with Cancer North East St Cuthbert's Care West Road Newcastle Telephone If you or any members of your family would like to talk to someone outside of normal working hours you can contact any of these 24 hour services: NHS 24, , The Samaritans, , 3

4 Where can I find information about the help or support that may be available to me and my family when I am at home? If you feel that you or your family need any additional help or support at home then please feel free to discuss this with your CNS / Key Worker or your GP. These people are usually aware of other professionals or services that are available in your local area. Where can I find information about financial help? Many people find a diagnosis of cancer can bring money worries. The majority of people who are diagnosed with cancer who need ongoing treatment do not have to pay prescription charges. If you are eligible for free prescriptions you will normally be given this information by a member of your MDT. A Social Worker or Benefits Adviser can offer advice and information on benefits, tax credits, grants, loans and resolve any legal, money or other financial or social problems. You can speak with a Benefits Advisor via your local Citizens Advice Bureau or there is one available within the Newcastle Macmillan Cancer Information Centre. Please ask your CNS or any member of the MDT if you would like information about free prescriptions or if you would like to speak with one of the hospital Social Workers. Produced October 2011 by M Vincent Macmillan Lead Cancer Nurse / Nurse Consultant Cancer Services in collaboration with oncology Clinical Nurse Specialists Review September

5 Key members of the BREAST Multidisciplinary Team Name of your Key Worker The Specialist Nursing Team Clinical Nurse Specialist Contact numbers Hours of work Sandra Scott office Eileen Tague (Answerphone available) Kathryn Kay Lesley Perlish Joanne Wilson Alison Wright Eve Dixon (Nurse Practitioner) office (Answerphone available) 9-5 Mon-Fri (not weekends or bank holidays) 9 5 Mon-Fri (not weekends or bank holidays) The Surgical and / or Medical Team Surgeon Secretary s contact number Tick if responsible for patient care Professor TWJ Lennard Mr S Nicholson Mr N Khonji Mr A Critchley Mr A Salem (Associate Specialist) The Oncology Team Oncologist Secretary s contact number Tick if responsible for patient care Dr M Verrill Dr D Lee Dr A Branson Dr W Taylor Dr R Goranova Out of hours telephone number for people having treatment at the Northern Centre for Cancer Care: - Ward 34 & 35 ( / ) The Histopathology and Radiology Team Histopathologist and Cytologist Radiologist Dr R Howitt Dr J Gholkar Dr W Thampy Dr B Kaye Dr S Johnson Dr L McCLean Dr F Black Dr C E Holmes Dr N Sibal Dr N Forester Dr G Bristow Other Health Professionals Health Professional (Name and Role) Contact Number Key professional for your care (Tick all that apply) Sue Keeton Nurse Specialist (Breast Reconstruction) Clare Ure Nurse Specialist (Breast Reconstruction) 5

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