• Reference Number: HEY1103/2022
• Departments: Haematology, Oncology (Cancer Services)
• Last Updated: 1 August 2022

Introduction

This leaflet has been produced to give you general information.  Most of your questions should be answered by this leaflet. It is not intended to replace the discussion between you and the healthcare team but may act as a starting point for discussion.  If after reading it you have any concerns or require further explanation, please discuss this with a member of the healthcare team.

The Macmillan Haematology Clinical Nurse Specialist Team

All patients who receive a diagnosis by the Haematology team are provided with an identified Clinical Nurse Specialist/Key Worker.  The Macmillan Haematology Clinical Nurse Specialist Team are part of the Haematology Multidisciplinary team and will be your point of contact and act as your Key Worker at the Queens Centre for Oncology and Haematology.  We offer specialist support, information and advice to patients with a blood related cancer or non-cancer diagnosis.

The team consists of:

Macmillan Clinical Nurse Specialists/Key Workers Haematology

Macmillan Haematology CNS Team Co-ordinators

Donna Trafford and Tina Holmes

How can the team help you?

The team can help with questions or queries you may have such as:

• Information about investigations and diagnosis.
• Information you have been given regarding decisions about your care provide further information as needed.
• Advice on any symptoms and side affects you may have or are worried about.
• Emotional support to you and your carer/family member/friend.
• Co-ordinating care and providing a link with other professionals and agencies.
• Helping you make informed decisions about your care and management.
• How to arrange a holistic needs assessment with a member of the team. This is an assessment document that helps you to look at any needs or concerns you may about any area of your life.  These concerns can be related to physical, emotional, practical, financial or spiritual.

How can I contact the Team?

The team work Monday to Friday (excluding bank holidays) between the hours of 8.30 am – 5.30 pm.  Messages can be left on the answer machine and calls will be returned as soon as possible, although this may not be until the next working day.  Your call may be answered or returned by another member of the team in absence of your named Key Worker/Nurse Specialist.

The team can be contacted on 01482 461087.  If you leave a message please provide your name, telephone number and, if possible, NHS or HEY number. 

Useful contact numbers and websites

The following websites can provide useful information on haematological diseases, treatment and support:-

Macmillan Cancer Support www.macmillan.org.uk Telephone number: 0808 808 00 00

Bloodwise www.bloodwise.org.uk Telephone Number: 0808 2080 888

Lymphoma Action www.lymphomas.org.uk Telephone Number: 0808 808 5555

Myeloma UK www.myeloma.org.uk Telephone Number: 0800 980 3332

Leukaemia Care www.leukaemiacare.org.uk Telephone Number: 08088 010 444

Cancer Research UK www.cancerresearchuk.org Telephone Number: 0808 800 4040

Concerns or queries

If you have any concerns/queries about any of the services offered by the Trust, in the first instance, please speak to the person providing your care.

Alternatively you can contact – the Patient Advice and Liaison Service (PALS) on (01482) 623065.

You can also email the PALS team on email: pals.mailbox@nhs.net

General Advice and Consent

Most of your questions should have been answered by this leaflet, but remember that this is only a starting point for discussion with the healthcare team.

Consent to treatment

Before any doctor, nurse or therapist examines or treats you, they must seek your consent or permission. In order to make a decision, you need to have information from health professionals about the treatment or investigation which is being offered to you. You should always ask them more questions if you do not understand or if you want more information.

The information you receive should be about your condition, the alternatives available to you, and whether it carries risks as well as the benefits. What is important is that your consent is genuine or valid. That means:

• you must be able to give your consent
• you must be given enough information to enable you to make a decision
• you must be acting under your own free will and not under the strong influence of another person

Information about you

We collect and use your information to provide you with care and treatment. As part of your care, information about you will be shared between members of a healthcare team, some of whom you may not meet. Your information may also be used to help train staff, to check the quality of our care, to manage and plan the health service, and to help with research. Wherever possible we use anonymous data.

We may pass on relevant information to other health organisations that provide you with care. All information is treated as strictly confidential and is not given to anyone who does not need it. If you have any concerns please ask your doctor, or the person caring for you.

Under the General Data Protection Regulation and the Data Protection Act 2018 we are responsible for maintaining the confidentiality of any information we hold about you. For further information visit the following page: Confidential Information about You.

If you or your carer needs information about your health and wellbeing and about your care and treatment in a different format, such as large print, braille or audio, due to disability, impairment or sensory loss, please advise a member of staff and this can be arranged.