Working Alongside Others

Specialist Cancer Nurses

The Specialist Cancer Nurses work with patients in Trafford General Hospital and across the Trafford community.

All these Nurses (e.g. gynaecological, gastro-intestinal, lung etc) provide information, support and symptom management to patients from diagnosis and throughout their treatment. They can also assist with communication between the treatment centres and the patients at home.

The Specialist Nurses also offer emotional and psychological support, not only to cancer patients but also to their carers and relatives.

Specialist Occupational Therapy Service

This service focuses on activities of daily living and rehabilitation for clients – primarily in their own home environment. The emphasis is on ability, not disability, and the service provides aids and adaptations to make every day life easier to manage. The belief is that rehabilitation can be achieved, no matter how limited a person’s physical ability is.

The aim is to fully support people at home, and the Occupational Therapy service work closely with the Macmillan Nursing Team. Each client is assessed taking into account all of their physical and social circumstances, with particular support for anxiety and fatigue.

Palliative Care Team – Macmillan Nurses

The Macmillan Nurses aim to provide specialist palliative care and support for patients, carers and other health and social care professionals involved in a patients care.

They provide:

  • Expert information, advice and support to help improve the lives of people with cancer and other life limiting conditions
  • Advice and support to other health care professionals
  • Education to improve care given by health care professionals

They also work collaboratively with other health care professionals in providing support from diagnosis to end of life.

Specialist Palliative Care Co-ordinator

 The Specialist Palliative Care Co-ordinator supports patients with children who may require emotional support due to:

  • Psychological and social care needs
  • Complex family dynamics
  • Children’s bereavement issues

The Co-ordinator works closely with:

  • Schools
  • Health care professionals
  • Other agencies that deal with the patient and their families
  • Vulnerable adults

In addition, the Co-ordinator contributes to the palliative care education and support of generic Social Workers, and provides education around the needs of young people affected by life limiting illnesses and bereavement.