Breast Cancer Care Specialist Insights on Clinic Consultations in the South West UK
Clinical Nurse Specialists (CNS) play a crucial role in supporting breast cancer patients during consultations in various healthcare facilities in Somerset, Wiltshire, Avon, and Gloucestershire. Their presence ensures patients receive personalized care, support, and clarity on their diagnosis and treatment plans. Challenges like limited room availability hamper their ability to provide private support. Initiatives like Living Well Days and Young Women's Programs address specific patient needs, highlighting the importance of holistic care. The Royal College of Nursing's Competency Framework guides nurses in delivering quality care to breast cancer patients.
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Clinical Nurse Specialist Perspective on Clinic Consultations Somerset, Wiltshire, Avon and Gloucestershire Breast Cancer Clinical Advisory Group Friday 13thMarch 2020
Bristol Haematology Oncology Centre Breast Care Nurses (BCN) It is essential for the BCN to attend all new patient appointments when the patient is seen by the Consultant/Registrar to discuss their diagnosis and treatment plan. (This allows for shared clarity of information and an insight into the patients understanding of their diagnosis and continuity of care/support) If the patient attends their consultation alone the BCN can be the patients advocate/support. (With the patients consent) BCN attendance at Consultant/Registrar patient appointments and the time we spend with the patient and their family afterwards providing support does not currently generate a tariff. (It used to hold a tariff but this has been removed) Currently room availability is scarce for the BCN to spend time talking with patients privately. ( This makes supporting patients very difficult as often our conversations are very sensitive and can affect an individuals dignity) Clinic lists are reviewed prior to each Consultant clinic to identify which patients we need to see/support. It can be difficult to see all the patients identified as they are often in clinic at the same time.
North Bristol Trust Imperative to sit in with ALL newly diagnosed patients to ensure appropriate personalised care and support can commence for that patient from the outset BCN spends time with the patient and their family afterwards or on a subsequent day going over that information again so its clear Important to have a CNS presence in consults where surgical treatment options are discussed and ideally post histology for the same reasons Time for questions and Consultant continuity are also important.
NBT Service Improvements Living well days and Living Well courses since 2010 Identified a gap for younger patients and trialled a Young Women s Living Well Day (>45). The 5 week programme from 1330-1600 covered topics such as, coping with and managing fatigue, stress, values , responding to worries about symptoms with thoughts and diffusion, breast self-examination, body image and improving body confidence, intimacy, mindfulness, goal setting and action planning, and shared experience. Additional support required for patients who go through early menopause as a result of breast cancer treatment
RCN Competency Framework for Nurses Providing Care to Breast Cancer Patients New guidance
Musgrove Park Hospital Always have a BCN present at diagnosis, in the symptomatic clinic and screening results clinic. Ensure that every patient is seen by having adequate number of BCNs on duty Essential so the patient knows who their key worker is and to provide continuity in the future. We are a small team but make these clinics a priority We have ensured we have two rooms available in clinic to spend time with patients .Time in clinic is limited though and we often have to book an appointment with us to discuss the diagnosis and treatment.
