My CNS Matters
Leukaemia Care believes that the care and support provided by Clinical Nurse Specialists (CNS) are vital for leukaemia patients. Yet only 28.2%* of UK Trusts said they had leukaemia specific CNSs and only 31%* of patients could get enough emotional support at home from community or voluntary services after their treatment. Rates of holistic care decline further for patients diagnosed with chronic (slower progressing) compared to an acute (faster progressing) leukaemia diagnosis.
In order to tackle the disparities in holistic care, Leukaemia Care has under taken preliminary research to fully understand the needs of leukaemia patients and examine the barriers that contribute to a patient accessing a CNS. Based on our findings we believe the following recommendations must be made a priority.
My CNS Matters campaign aims
Leukaemia Care’s My CNS Matters campaign aims to remove existing barriers to CNS care by implementing the following:
- Ensure access to support is independent of cancer type or treatment status.
- Guarantee that key workers or points of contact are not only known to the individual but also accessible.
- Provide consistency with clearer definitions of care teams’ individual roles and duties, a supportive non-medical and administrative team, and clear access/entry and exit routes into the service.
- Foster trust in both medical and non-medical staff to support patients’ holistic needs.
- Improve recognition and value of the CNS’s skills.
- Ensure individuals with direct patient contact and/or triaging have appropriate condition-specific knowledge.
- Maximise team working, both internally within the NHS and externally.
- Emphasize managing expectations and patient empowerment as keys to cost-effective support delivery.
Read our report showcasing the research Leukaemia Care has conducted to highlight the necessary changes required to improve holistic care for leukaemia patients.
Want to learn more or work with us on this issue?
We hope with the support of healthcare professionals we will be able to improve care for leukaemia patients and the wider cancer community.
If you would like to discuss the My CNS Matters campaign in more detail, then please do reach out to our team by emailing campaigns@leukaemiacare.org.uk.
*Leukaemia Care’s Freedom of Information requests, 2023
Support services
If you or a loved one needs advice or support regarding your diagnosis, please get in touch. You can call our free helpline on 08088 010 444 and speak to one of our nurses. Alternatively, you can send a message to our team via WhatsApp on 07500 068 065 (services available Monday to Friday, 9am – 5pm).
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