Posted: January 26th, 2023
Services that Nurses in the UK Provide to Cancer Patients
Services that Nurses in the UK Provide to Cancer Patients
Cancer is a complex and challenging disease that affects millions of people in the UK. According to Cancer Research UK, there were 367,167 new cancer cases in the UK in 2018, and 165,176 cancer deaths in 2019. Cancer patients require specialised care and support throughout their journey, from diagnosis to treatment and beyond. Nurses play a vital role in providing this care and support, as they are often the main point of contact for patients and their families.
There are different types of nurses that work in different areas of cancer care and treatment. They work in hospitals, hospices, and in the community. Some of the services that nurses in the UK provide to cancer patients are:
– Clinical Nurse Specialist (CNS): A CNS is a registered nurse with skills and experience in caring for people with cancer. They often have further qualifications in cancer care. A CNS who specialises in the type of cancer a patient has is usually their key worker, who co-ordinates their care and gives them information about their diagnosis, treatment options, and possible side effects. A CNS also offers emotional and practical support, and can refer patients to other services that can help, such as social care, benefits advice, and local support groups. A CNS may also specialise in a cancer treatment, such as chemotherapy, or a symptom of cancer or side effect of treatment, such as lymphoedema (Macmillan Cancer Support, 2021).
– Palliative Care Nurse: A palliative care nurse is a nurse who helps manage the symptoms of advanced cancer and improve the quality of life of patients and their families. They work in hospitals, hospices, and in the community. They provide pain relief, symptom control, psychological support, spiritual care, and end-of-life care. They also work with other professionals, such as doctors, social workers, and chaplains, to ensure that patients receive holistic care that meets their needs and preferences (Marie Curie, 2021).
– Macmillan Nurse: A Macmillan nurse is a term that is sometimes used to refer to any specialist cancer nurse who is funded by Macmillan Cancer Support, a charity that provides information and support to people affected by cancer. Macmillan nurses can be CNSs or palliative care nurses, or they can work in other areas of cancer care, such as prevention, screening, research, education, or policy. Macmillan nurses are not employed by Macmillan Cancer Support, but by the NHS or other organisations that partner with the charity (Macmillan Cancer Support, 2021).
These are some of the services that nurses in the UK provide to cancer patients. Nurses are essential members of the multidisciplinary team that cares for people with cancer. They offer clinical expertise, compassionate care, and emotional support to patients and their families throughout their cancer journey.
References:
Macmillan Cancer Support (2021). Macmillan nurses – Clinical Nurse Specialist | Macmillan Cancer Support. Retrieved from https://www.macmillan.org.uk/cancer-information-and-support/get-help/macmillan-nurses
Marie Curie (2021). What Marie Curie Nurses do? Retrieved from https://www.mariecurie.org.uk/help/nursing-services/what-marie-curie-nurses-do
Cancer Research UK (2021). Cancer statistics for the UK. Retrieved from https://www.cancerresearchuk.org/health-professional/cancer-statistics-for-the-uk