The NI Transforming Cancer Follow-up team wins recognition at UK Nursing Standard Awards
The Transforming Cancer Follow-up (TCFU) Project team has been awarded a prestigious Nursing Standard Award in cancer nursing.
The TCFU team received the award at a special ceremony in London.
Held annually, the Nursing Standard Awards identify exceptional nursing professionals, who have improved the quality of patient care through innovation and clinical excellence.
Accepting the award, on behalf of the team of Macmillan Project Managers, PHA Nurse Consultant, Mary Jo Thompson, said:
“We are delighted to receive this prestigious nursing award, the success has been achieved because nurses and professionals at all levels have had a shared vision of how to improve aftercare for patients affected by cancer”
The Transforming Cancer Follow-up programme, led by the Health and Social Care Board and Public Health Agency, has been made possible by generous funding provided by Macmillan Cancer Support.
Patient care has begun to move away from a traditional “one size fits all” approach to cancer aftercare, which traditionally was based around routine follow up appointments. Instead TCFU has developed individualised tailored aftercare.
As part of the new ‘recovery package’, every patient within the new breast programme has access to a clinical nurse specialist (CNS), who discusses their needs in the form of a written ‘care plan’, which they can take away with them.
Patients are advised of the signs and symptoms to look out for and told who to contact, should any problem arise. If necessary, a hospital appointment is scheduled without delay.
A treatment record is provided for patients and their GPs. This ensures good communication on treatments and any possible longer term consequences and complications which could arise.
Also, people are invited to go along to a ‘health and wellbeing’ event, where they hear about all the practical things they can do to keep well and find out about local support services on their doorstep.
Macmillan has invested more than £1 million in the Transforming Cancer Follow Up programme. The leading cancer charity’s general manager in Northern Ireland, Heather Monteverde, says cancer care is undergoing radical changes:
“Without a complete transformation of the way people are supported after their treatment ends, there is no way patients will get the aftercare they so desperately need, whether that’s practical help at home, financial advice, or even emotional support. The role of the Cancer Nurse Specialist is key to the success of the Transforming Cancer Follow Up Programme.”
The Transforming Cancer Follow Up Programme has been implemented by Northern Ireland’s five Health and Social Care Trusts as the new model for breast cancer follow up and progress is being made in remodelling prostate and colorectal cancer aftercare with a view to including other tumour groups.
According to an evaluation report, completed by advisors PwC in February 2015, 58% of newly diagnosed breast cancer patients are now taking up self-directed aftercare.
Patient confidence in the new system has been demonstrated by 12% of patients using the new rapid access system for the follow-up breast pathway to highlight their concerns in a timely manner. The overall impact of the programme has resulted in a 28% fall in breast surgical review waiting lists, allowing clinical teams to spend more time with patients with more complex needs.
Dean Sullivan, Director of Commissioning, Health and Social Care Board is delighted with the achievements of the TCFU team:
“The TCFU managers are worthy winners of the Nursing Standard Award. Aftercare for cancer survivors is becoming more patient centred and the recent PwC Evaluation provides sound evidence that the new system is proving a success.”
Congratulating the team, Chief Nursing Officer, Charlotte McArdle said: “The TCFU team are an example of the outstanding talent we have within nursing here in Northern Ireland. Drawing on their vast experience in cancer care, the team have helped to transform the way cancer patients receive aftercare. The role of the Clinical Nurse Specialist as the patient’s point of contact is key to the success of TCFU.
“Everyone has a role to play in changing how we deliver care for the better. The innovation shown by the team is an outstanding example of the contribution that nurses make to this change and I congratulate them on this much-deserved award.”