Celebrating our cancer clinical nurse specialists
Today, Friday 14 March, is National Cancer Clinical Nurse Specialist Day (CNS Day), and here at University Hospitals Dorset (UHD), we are taking the opportunity to raise awareness and celebrate the vital contribution of this workforce across our hospitals.
Cancer is a complex and significant disease that will affect 1 in 2 of us during our lifetime. In the UK, the number of people living with a cancer diagnosis is set to double to 4 million in 2030.
In order to meet the ever-increasing needs of people living with cancer now and in the future, the development and investment of the cancer workforce is crucial, and Clinical Nurse Specialists are needed more than ever before.
CNS' are highly skilled professionals who provide expert care and support to patients throughout their cancer journey. They play a fundamental role in coordinating and delivering personalised care interventions, addressing both the physical and emotional needs of patients.
Clinical Nurse Specialists at the Royal Bournemouth Hospital
Sarah Puttick has worked as a nurse in Haematology for 26 years, six of those as a CNS. She said: "I enjoy supporting our patients from diagnosis, treatment and in the recovery phase and their families. It is vitally important for our patients to have a point of contact through a very difficult time to help reduce anxiety and to generally support."
Jo Valentine and Claire Smith are the Cancer Nurse Specialist Lead and Lead Cancer Nurse resepctively at UHD. They said:"We witness on a daily basis these nurses going above and beyond to ensure that their patient on a cancer pathway receives the best supportive care possible."
"They contribute to improving the patient's quality of life and their experience of care, and potentially their survival. With treatments becoming more advanced, patients are living longer, and the CNS is present from the moment of diagnosis through treatment and beyond. Even after treatment is stopped, the CNS is an invaluable support for the patient at this stage."
"We would like to thank all of them today for their hard work and dedication to their individual services and patients, always ensuring patients are truly supported through this difficult journey."
Clinical Nurse Specialists at Poole Hospital
"If anyone is thinking of a career in cancer nursing, this is one of the most rewarding specialities to work in. There is opportunity for extended roles, autonomy and professional development, working towards advanced clinical decision making with patient assessment and prescribing skills and also being involved in supporting education and innovation."
For more information about the role including contact details to enquire about future positions, head to our website page here, and for further insight into CNS Day, head here.
