One of the Lymphoma Association's main aims is to provide timely information and support to anyone affected by lymphatic cancer. In 2004 we launched a project to 'pump prime' five Lymphoma Association Clinical Nurse Specialist posts in NHS haematology units.
The Lymphoma Association funded five posts for the first three years, with our NHS partner committing to continue funding thereafter. At the end of the pilot period, the post remains a Lymphoma Association Nurse Specialist and links with the Association are maintained. This model is already well tested by Macmillan Cancer Support, who recognising our specialist knowledge, kindly shared their expertise with us.
This pilot programme is now coming to an end. Of the five lymphoma nurse posts funded by the Association, those in the Leeds Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust, the Christie Hospital NHS Foundation Trust in Manchester and University College London Hospitals NHS Trust (UCLH) have been taken on by the NHS. We are optimistic that the two later posts in Gloucestershire Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust and Sheffield Teaching Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust will also be continued at the end of the pilot funding.
Our evaluation of the project has demonstrated the value of these posts not just to patients but also to clinicians and hospital managers. We have had excellent feedback on the difference these nurses are making to lymphoma patients and their families, as they provide information and support from diagnosis through to treatment and follow-up. The quote below was an unsolicited email that we received from a patient at the Leeds Teaching Hospital following the appointment of Gill Stewart, our first Lymphoma Nurse Specialist:
"The team is fantastic and Gill is a real addition to the team. Since meeting Gill I have had numerous questions and concerns and it is very reassuring to know that I can contact her and she will do her best to help and advise. Gill is very approachable, knowledgeable and is prepared to go the extra mile, which is greatly appreciated".
Since the start of this project, the role of the clinical nurse specialist in cancer services has become a central part of the improvements set out in the 2007 Cancer Reform Strategy and lymphoma nurse specialists or haematology CNSs are much more widely available. Our efforts now are to ensure that any future public sector funding cuts do not affect these important and highly valued posts.
