New roles providing supportive care to cancer patients have been established thanks to a national funding grant.
Macmillan information centre, based at The James Cook University Hospital, has received more than £150,000 in funding from Macmillan Cancer Support.
This will involve proactively seeing patients on wards, in their homes and community settings. The Macmillan information centre helps in giving patients access to knowledge on a wide variety of topics, providing details on the financial help they may be entitled to and listening to patients’ concerns.
Two individuals, who were already working at South Tees Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, have been recruited into the roles to provide face-to-face, email and telephone advice and support to those affected by cancer.
Since commencing their roles last month, Yasmin Adamson and Ginette Draper have received positive feedback from patients and staff.
Besides providing emotional support to cancer patients, they ensure people affected by cancer have access to good quality, comprehensive and appropriate information and support when they need it.
As part of their roles, Yasmin and Ginette have been visiting cancer patients on wards as well as in their homes – offering support as required while referring them to clinical staff if the need arises.
“Enjoying every minute of my role”
Yasmin Adamson started her career seven years ago as a Macmillan volunteer, where she loved every moment of working with cancer patients.
Following her stint as a volunteer, Yasmin secured a role as a ward clerk at James Cook. Her five years as a ward clerk saw her gain invaluable experience whilst also being presented with an internal award for going the extra mile.
She said: “I had seen the vacancy for the Macmillan cancer support worker and found it interesting to work in a new role as it would mean getting the service out to patients in the comfort of their own homes as well as on hospital wards.
“I knew this role would suit me as I enjoy patient contact and helping patients and their families.
I am enjoying every minute of this role and I currently work along with the head and neck team and contact newly diagnosed cancer patients offering support in all types of ways – reassuring them that I will be with them through their journey for anything I can help with.”
“Perfect opportunity”
Ginette Draper began her NHS career in 2006 as a staff nurse – a role she thoroughly enjoyed and had the pleasure of working on different wards and meeting amazing patients and families.
After taking some time out, she returned to the trust in 2015 to work in administration before moving to work in cancer as a receptionist/administrator at the Trinity Holistic Centre.
She said: “Working in the Trinity Centre has been a lovely experience and seeing first-hand the amazing support and treatments the centre offers to patients and family members, and the difference this makes inspired me to once again become more involved in a hands-on patient-centred role.
I saw the vacancy for the role and thought this would be the perfect opportunity. The Macmillan team at James Cook Hospital does an amazing job, and moving the Macmillan service out into the wards, community and patients’ homes is a fantastic opportunity to make the Macmillan services even more accessible to patients.
“I am looking forward to getting started and meeting staff and patients over the coming months.”