Skin Cancer Clinical Nurse Specialists and Support Team

The Clinical Nurse Specialist Team

The Skin Cancer Clinical Nurse Specialists (CNS) are nurses who specialise in Skin Cancer.  They work as part of the multi-disciplinary team, alongside healthcare professionals. They provide information about diagnoses, treatment options, specialist support and information to patients and their families/carers throughout cancer treatment and follow-up care.

They importantly provide a link and point of contact for patients and are designated key workers.

Cancer Support Worker

The Cancer Support Worker (CSW) works as part of the cancer care team alongside registered practitioners, to help improve care for people with cancer, helping patients to self-manage and lead as healthy a life as possible. The Cancer Support Worker is not a qualified clinician, but is trained and experienced in supporting people with a cancer diagnosis.

Cancer Support Workers can offer practical and emotional support, sign posting, and information about lifestyle changes, such as diet, physical activity, benefits referrals and local support.

What we offer

• Nurse-led clinics, telephone clinics.
• Personalised information about treatment options.
• Education events and self-management programmes.
• Holistic needs assessments and individualised care plans.
• Sign-posting to other agencies.
• Referrals to other specialist teams.
• Introduction to the Macmillan Wellbeing Centre.
• Telephone advice and support.

The nurses are happy to discuss any issues with nominated relatives or carers, but must have permission to do so from the patient beforehand.

Ongoing Support

Where appropriate, patients are invited to attend a post-surgical review following their treatment.  At this appointment wound, skin and lymph node checks will be undertaken by a Clinical Nurse Specialist.  They will also provide education for patients so that they are aware as to what to look for in between hospital appointments.  The Clinical Nurse Specialist team will be available to help if any relevant health concerns are raised. 

Patients transferring to another hospital

If patients are referred to another hospital for ongoing treatment, we may remain as your key worker or you may be transferred to a team at the other hospital. This will be discussed with you on an individual basis.

Patients who have been referred from another hospital, i.e. Royal United Hospital (Bath), Gloucester Royal Hospital (Gloucester) or the University Hospitals Bristol & Weston (Bristol) may be repatriated back to the referring hospital following surgery and discharged from Southmead Hospital.  

Holistic Needs Assessment

A holistic needs assessment (HNA) is a simple questionnaire that is completed by a person affected by cancer. It allows you to highlight the most important issues at the time of your diagnosis, and after treatment.

The questionnaire can be completed on a tablet (portable touch screen computer) with your nurse or key worker during your outpatient appointments, or at home using your own computer. You will need an access code to complete the questionnaire at home – please speak to your nurse or key worker to find out how to get an access code.

This information is then used to create an individualised care and support plan by your nurse or CSW.

Concerns covered by the HNA include:

• Physical concerns: indigestion, tiredness, changes in weight, moving around, appearance, etc.
• Practical concerns: taking care of others, work or education, transport or parking, housing, pets, etc.
• Emotional concerns: uncertainty, anger and frustration, sadness or depression, independence, body image, intimacy, etc.
• Family or relationship concerns: Partner, children, person who looks over me, person I look after, etc.
• Spiritual concerns: Faith or spirituality, meaning or purpose of life, etc.
• Information or support: exercise and activity, diet and nutrition, health and wellbeing, patient or carers group, etc.

Cancer Information and Support Clinic

As part of your routine care you will/may be invited to a group education and support session for patients and their families/friends/carer at or soon after the time of a cancer diagnosis. The aim is to provide information to you about the range of topics relating to cancer that help you take control and participate in your care and recovery. It is an important and necessary part of the support that we offer so that you can make choices best suited to you.

The clinics provide an opportunity to meet other people with similar experiences, providing reassurance, reducing anxiety and the sense of isolation some people feel.

The clinic is held in the NGS Macmillan Wellbeing Centre at Southmead Hospital and is run twice a week by the Cancer Support Workers. The session lasts for approximately 2 ¼ hours with refreshment break (tea, coffee and biscuits provided). 

NGS Macmillan Wellbeing Centre

The NGS Macmillan Wellbeing Centre, at Southmead Hospital, is available to help anyone affected by cancer; whether you are someone who has just been diagnosed, in the middle of or finished treatment, or whether you are a friend, family member or carer of someone with cancer.

Staff at the Centre can signpost patients to information, support and practical advice to help you live well through treatment and beyond.

The Centre is open Monday to Friday from 9.30am until 4pm. The telephone number is: 0117 414 7051.

Pop in for a chat or call to find out more about what we can offer and how we may be able to help.

Useful websites

Macmillan Cancer Support: www.macmillan.org.uk

ScaRF: www.skincancerresearch.org

Cancer Research: www.cancerresearchuk.org

Melanoma Focus: www.melanomafocus.com

British Association of Dermatologists: www.bad.org.uk

How to contact us:

© North Bristol NHS Trust. This edition published May 2020. Review due May 2022. NBT003245

Skin Cancer Nurse Specialists:
0117 414 7415

Joanne Watson
Lynda Knowles
Claire Lanfear
Sam Wells

Gate 38, Brunel Building
Southmead Hospital
Westbury-on-Trym
Bristol
BS10 5NB

Macmillan Cancer Support Worker:
Genevieve Came

If you or the individual you are caring for need support reading this leaflet please ask a member of staff for advice.

© North Bristol NHS Trust. This edition published May 2020. Review due May 2022. NBT003245