ACH001
Provided a greater understanding of the challenges facing patients with lung cancer/mesothelioma and their carers
Through the use of patient stories XXXXX has helped to demonstrate the issues that patients face which they are reluctant to share in a clinical setting.
Been instrumental in developing and sharing best practice and knowledge
Through chairing the All Wales Lung Cancer Forum and ensuring a relevant and current agenda is delivered to teach colleagues who have an interest in lung cancer but don’t have it as their sole area of work. (Ward nurses, junior doctors AHP). XXXXX is an active advocate for succession planning and encouraging other professionals to focus their experiences with the lung cancer community. (OT/Breathlessness work).
Been an inspirational leader in lung cancer/mesothelioma nursing services and/or acted as an advocate for the LCNS and its role
Despite being a single handed practitioner XXXXXX continues to deliver her expertise and passion through presenting at local, national and international conferences both as a committee member and Macmillan professional. She is an accessible colleague who is always open to sharing her good practice.
XXXXXX is active in seeking to develop colleagues around her and supports their learning formally and informally. She continues to place the patient at the centre of all she does.
The wider multi disciplinary network that she contributes to respects and value her continuous contribution.
Led the way on a number of service improvements
XXXXXX and colleagues have set up an active support group locally. Through her guidance a group of Welsh Lung Cancer CNS highlighted the issues around SPN management and shared it at a national level, leading to its implementation. Breathlessness management has become commonplace through XXXXXX's activity.
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ACH002
In truth XXXXX fulfils all of the criteria . By setting up and leading Mesothelioma UK she has been instrumental in developing services for patients with mesothelioma. Her vision and drive are outstanding at local, regional, national and international level.
She has become a champion for mesothelioma patients and their carers, not only with local service provision but with developments of a website, helpline, annual patient and carers day and forging support for Action Mesothelioma Day. She has been involved in education by developing the Mesothelioma Course with the Royal Marsden Hospital. She is a source of information and advice regarding current research developments.
She set up the MNAT group of nurse specialist which has now devolved to 11 nurse specialists with a plan to have a nurse within each Strategic Clinical Network. She is able to develop followers and has become a resource and member of several international committees e.g. BTOG and IASCL.
She shares practice and is a national resource.She is an inspirational leader and great advocate for NLCFN . She served a term on the committee NLCFN and has presented an many national and international conferences. She is respected by medical colleagues and it is a pleasure to know her, work with her and to be considered as a member of her team.
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ACH003
XXXXXX has been a lung cancer specialist nurse for the best part of 20 years and a committed member of the NLCFN. Despite her modest and often shy demeanour XXXXXX, or her name, is perhaps the most recognised nurse within the lung cancer community. Despite working clinically in extremely busy and high profile lung cancer multidisciplinary teams she has relentlessly sought to contribute to the evidence base for lung Cancer nursing.
XXXXXX has published a prolific number of papers. Some are based on pragmatic reviews of the role of cancer nurse specialists or day to day practice whilst others follow rigorous research methodologies; all have been clinically based and have provided readily transferable findings. Lung Cancer Nurse Specialists and more importantly lung cancer patients, the world over have benefitted.
In addition XXXXXX has been fundamental to the successful development of Mesothelioma UK. At the outset XXXXX eagerly joined the Mesothelioma UK Steering Committee, provided regular cover for the Mesothelioma Helpline, has been key to the accredited, award winning Mesothelioma course available through the Royal Marsden School and has generally been a dependable source of support and encouragement. She has genuinely been crucial to establishing the charity and securing its future.
Finally XXXXX has been admired by all of her peers for completing her doctorate studies and then in keeping with her heartfelt commitment to patients returning to clinical practice.
In summary the NLCFN, lung cancer nursing and lung cancer patients and their families are all the better for XXXXXX’s contribution.
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ACH004
21 months ago Macmillan funded a 2 year project to redesign and streamline our lung cancer pathway in a sustainable, holistic, patient focused way. XXXXXX was released from her role as a Lung CNS for 15 hours per week to work with staff, from primary and secondary care to facilitate earlier diagnosis, empowerment and support for patients and carers before, during and after treatment. She has worked above and beyond her duty and to date the following have been achieved to improve the service:
- Education of GP's and Practice Nurses to recognise signs and symptoms of lung cancer and increase awareness of opportunities within daily practice where they can assess at risk patients for changes in their symptoms and general health and lower their threshold for referral into the service. XXXXXX and our respiratory physicians now provide this education on a rolling programme and Practice Nurses are currently undergoing IRMER training to enable them to request chest X-Rays.
- The successful implementation of automatic CT scans within 7 days and generation of a 2 week wait appointment, following a suspicious chest X-ray. The physician now has diagnostic information available at this first appointment to discuss probable diagnosis and request further specialist diagnostics to plan treatment as early as possible.
- We are present at this first clinic visit to offer relevant literature and our contact/ support details. Once diagnosis is established all patients are given our newly developed Lung Cancer Information Pack, containing patient specific information and support/signposting information.
- Establishment of a pilot ERAS project to improve pre-operative health and post-operative recovery. We hope to role this out to all patients receiving treatment with a curative intent.
- XXXXXX has implemented HNA clinics in local GP practices for patients diagnosed with lung cancer and has gained funding from Macmillan to implement eHNA. This has enhanced patient information, support and survivorship. Her proactive symptom management closer to home has avoided hospital admissions and enabled patients to remain in their preferred place of care.
- Establishment of a pilot project, in partnership with the local CCG's and Public Health Transformation Fund, where patients over 50 with a cough for more than 3 weeks or other specific respiratory symptoms can self-refer for a chest x-ray without a GP referral.
- Recruitment and training of community champions (from the police force, hospital staff, firemen, pharmacy staff and The Red Cross) to promote this campaign in target population areas at varying local community events and amongst their friends, family and colleagues.
- Successful application for funding from Macmillan and recent appointment of a Lung Cancer Support Worker to support the ongoing developments and sustenance of the project.
XXXXXX's drive and dedication has improved the patient experience and The Lung Cancer Pathway performance has improved in 2014-15 compared to those pre-project and the percentage of cancers diagnosed through emergency admissions have significantly reduced. We ultimately aim to continue to diagnose lung cancer earlier and be able to improve the patient’s outcome with curative treatment.
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ACH005
In 2007 when she started in post as the first Lung Cancer Specialist Nurse in Carmarthenshire, supporting many people affected by lung cancer across 2 hospitals and various clinics. XXXXXX had a vision for the Lung Cancer Team which she was able to develop in partnership with Macmillan Cancer Support and has significantly demonstrated an improvement to their patients’ experience in the lung cancer/mesothelioma pathway which criteria it relates to.
Today she works within a Macmillan Lung Clinical Nurse Specialist Service consisting of two specialist nurses and one support officer. The role of the support officer was created by XXXXXand was the first of its kind in Britain . It has been very favourably evaluated both by patients and the wider professional team. They see patients across 3 hospitals and outreach into the community depending on patients’ needs and have developed a very lively patient Support Group.
One example of improving the care outcomes and experience of patients is evident in a recent audit of the impact of the new Lung Cancer Specialist Service. Between January and December 2011 - 42% of all admissions of patients with lung cancer were because of breathlessness and 50% of deaths were in hospital. Between October 2012 and November 2013 - 14% of all admissions were due to breathlessness 28% of lung cancer deaths were in hospital
This was shown to be directly linked to changes in service provision, information giving and clinical practice which XXXXXX developed. XXXXXX has had a significant influence in developing the patient pathway in both local and national Lung Cancer care, always speaking from the view of people affected by lung cancer, focusing services on the needs of the people we are here to help. She actively contributes to the All Wales and UK Lung Cancer Forums for Nurses, which directly affects service development at a high level.
Patients say:
“When I’m unwell I only have to ring up and she sets my mind at rest. We discuss my symptoms over the phone and she will make a decision on whether to see me herself or discuss with the Doctors. Her knowledge, expertise, care, support and willingness to help is always apparent ...I draw great comfort from this knowing I can ring any time and something is done to make me feel better and to reassure me ...On one occasion I really didn’t feel well and without her input and liaison with the Doctors, I suspect I would have been admitted, which I wasn’t keen on ...”.
“XXXXXX is always there for me and my family. She is someone I can discuss my fears with and I never feel rushed...She always makes time to meet with me even when her clinic is full. The dedication to her work far exceeds her duty. Her support during my lung cancer journey has been very important to me and at times I really don’t think I could have dealt with some of the “knock backs”. I feel that she has quietly walked beside me during this journey. She genuinely cares, empathetic and I will always be indebted to her.
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ACH006
XXXXXX was a District Nurse in Mosside and Withington , Manchester before joining Macmillan as a specialist palliative care nurse in the late eighties.
In 1997 after the Calman Hind report she was asked to set up lung cancer nursing service at Macclesfield.
In 1999 she became clinical lead for lung cancer only one of two nurses in England. XXXXXX decided to keep the palliative care side to the role to ensure a holistic care for a patient as she understood the importance of early palliative care.
Along with all her local responsibilities XXXXXX was also a proactive NLCFN committee member.
When she retired last August she had been a Macmillan nurse for over 25 years. Following retirement she has taken on the Mesothelioma CNS role for the Northwest of England based in Wythenshawe. She has recently also been approached to be an ambassador for Macmillan Alumni.
ACH007
XXXXXX has been driver in changing/improving lung cancer care for over 18 years, a true professional and excellent mentor to both medical and nursing colleagues. Her attitude to patient holistic care is exemplary.
XXXXXX became a Macmillan Specialist Palliative Care nurse at East Cheshire in 1989, working in the community and hospital. In 1997 she was asked to develop lung cancer nursing service but not forgetting your palliative roots she incorporated this into the lung cancer service. Today we have the unique situation of the lung cancer nurses being intergrated into the specialist palliatve care team, ensuring patients have support from prediagnosis to end of life by the same nurses in hospital or on the community. She became one of only two Lung Cancer lead clinican in the country and championed nurse prescriber at the trust by becoming lead and improving education and development for nurse orescribers. XXXXXX was instrumental in setting up the rapid access lung clinic ensuring patients had all investigations on the same day to ensure timely diagnosis and referral for treatment. She also set up nurse led clinic which is automonous for the follow up of patients post treatment, ensuring continued support for both patients and families. During this time XXXXXX was an active member of the NLCFN. She retired from East Cheshire in 2014 but took the Mesothelioma CNS post at Wythenshawe to set up this service for the the North West region.
XXXXXX's dedication and commitment to lung cancer patients and now mesothelioma patients is second to none and I am honoured and privileged to call her my mentor and most importantly my friend.
I can think of no better person to receive this award
ACH008
We are nominating XXXXXX for the significant improvement she has made to the patient’s experience in the mesothelioma pathway in Greater Manchester and Cheshire.
Since she commenced her post as the Greater Manchester, Mesothelioma Senior Clinical Nurse Specialist, she has made a great improvement in the patient’s pathway by developing communication between lung cancer specialist nurse at District General Hospitals and all other Hospitals within the Greater Manchester and Cheshire. The local CNS notifies XXXXXX of all mesothelioma patient referrals, she then clinically reviews and updates on the patient’s progress and care. She supports them continuously along this pathway.
- She always goes an extra mile for patients, carers and her colleagues.
- She is always at the forefront of any new developments within the lung cancer and Mesothelioma services within Greater Manchester and Cheshire.
- She has developed a mesothelioma patient support group in Manchester.
- She is an advocate for patients with mesothelioma.
- She is a passionate , kind nurse who is well-respected by all her colleagues
- She has made a great difference to patients with Mesothelioma in Manchester and Cheshire.
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ACH009
Significantly demonstrated an improvement to their patients’ experience in the lung cancer/mesothelioma pathway
Provided a greater understanding of the challenges facing patients with lung cancer/mesothelioma and their carers
Been an inspirational leader in lung cancer/mesothelioma nursing services and/or acted as an advocate for the LCNS and its role
Previously the lung cancer nurses had on several occasions tried to establish a support group for Leicestershire’s Lung Cancer and Mesothelioma patients. Each time uptake had been minimal and attendance not maintained.
Just over a year ago with a Macmillan grant XXXXXset up the MELU Luncheon Club in Leicester for patients and carers living with Lung Cancer and Mesothelioma.
This is a support group with a difference and has proven to be extremely popular and successful. It is a welcoming and supportive therapeutic group providing an informal, relaxed environment for this group of patients to share experiences, give and receive information and enjoy life. It has grown from an initial attendance of 4 to over 30 regular attenders.
The group meets on a monthly basis either in a local garden centre café or as an organised outing.
When the group meets at the local garden centre XXXXX organises for a variety of speakers to attend to give talks on a wide variety of topics. Talks this year have included:- managing breathlessness, advances in treatments, radiotherapy, clinical trials, complementary therapies to name a few. On the other occasions XXXXXX organises day trips which have included visiting The house of Lords, Crich Tramway Museum, Skegness, Mount St Bernard Abbey, Santa Express on Great Central Railway. These trips are invaluable to patients and carers providing fun, friendship and access to places some patients would not have the opportunity of visiting without the club.
XXXXXX and her colleague XXX attend every meeting to provide support, friendship and act as a link to the medical profession.
Feedback has been sort from group members and this provides evidence that the determination, effort and commitment from XXXXXX has contributed to the success of this group.
Example of group feedback
“The MELU club has played a huge part in our lives. XXXXXX and XXX have opened up world of new pleasures at a time when life seemed very bleak. It gives us the opportunity of talking to other people who are going through similar traumas and also the opportunity to talk to professionals on a much less formal level than when attending for clinic appointments. The open discussions with these people make it a truly valuable learning experience as well. XXXXXX and XXX are so warm, friendly and welcoming and have made a great many people very happy. They change the outlook of all the patients they see, nothing is too much trouble, no follow up extra to their workload and no questions remain unanswered they are simply wonderful. They are the very best of carers”.
XXXXXX has also presented the concept of the club to our chief executive and trust board who were extremely interested and supportive and are interested in developing with other client groups.
XXXXXX deserves this award as recognition that determination and commitment can lead to success even when others have failed. This club has transformed the experience of patients and carers in Leicester beyond belief.
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ACH010
I would like to nominate my colleague, XXXXXX, for the NLCFN Outstanding Achievement Award. XXXXXX was appointed to the new post of Advanced Nurse for Lung Cancer with a focus on the early detection and investigative part of the patient’s journey about a year ago. Since taking up post, she has shown inspiring enthusiasm and energy in developing the role and has had a very positive effect on direct patient care and also indirectly through supporting, and energising the wider MDT and through service development.
She has developed an innovative nurse-led IPC (indwelling pleural catheter) service - inserting and reviewing drains, giving patients direct access to review / advice as needed. She provides education to colleagues in the community and hospitals enabling others to care for these patients as locally as possible to their home. She will also insert chest drains within the hospital and do FNAs enabling patients to be seen and treated more timely.
She sees patients at the Rapid Access clinic alongside Consultants which means more patients can be seen, patients have improved continuity of care and a more personalised service from referral onwards and ongoing care. It has also freed up Respiratory Consultants workload. As well as triaging patients for, and seeing them at, the Rapid Access clinic, XXXXXX will also take referrals from within the hospital. For example, she may see patients if they attend A&E or the Acute Admissions Unit with potential signs of lung cancer and expedite investigation. Another example of improving the patient journey - she will liaise directly with radiologists to expedite scans
Sometimes it is the seemingly small touches that XXXXXX does that actually take time but which can have a big impact on people – e.g. ensuring appointments are timed appropriately if travelling afar, speaking directly to GPs to ensure correct and speedy information can be given to patients.
When seeing patients at these sensitive and potentially very emotive and distressing times, XXXXXX uses her excellent personal skills that reassures and gives confidence to patients and carers. She makes herself accessible to patients and carers and encourages them to keep in contact via direct telephone line or email
It is clearly observable that patients now have confidence in the team looking after them and welcome the personalised approach. She does not look for personal reward and is equally dedicated in supporting her colleagues so they, in turn, are in a better position to provide high quality care. XXXXXX is a team player and is a bridge between different settings. She always ensures other clinicians have the relevant information. She presents and represents patients at the Lung Cancer MDT meetings. XXXXXX has helped make the respiratory and oncology team a more joined up coordinated team working and communicating well.
It is a real pleasure working alongside XXXXXX. She is inspiring and a fantastic role model and demonstrates undying energy and commitment. She balances her clinical skills and expert judgment with great communication skills. She always goes the extra mile to make sure the patient has a smooth a journey as possible. In essence, XXXXXX shows the way on how to really care for patients by keeping them at the heart of everything.