Sharing ideas to improve care for cancer patients – part 2

A project that supports men with testicular cancer and one that improves the experience of patients receiving chemotherapy are among the case studies to be presented in a forthcoming webinar.

Taking place on September, 4 at 1pm, the free, one-hour webinar will feature speakers from Bristol Testicular Cancer Service, Mount Vernon Cancer Centre and The Brain Tumour Charity.

All the projects featured were finalists in the Quality in Care (QiC) Excellence in Oncology programme, which is run by PMLiVE publisher the PMGroup.

Confirmed speakers who will share their good practice and demonstrate the benefits and adaptability of their initiatives in this webinar include:

• Sue Brand - It's in the Bag, Bristol Testicular Cancer Service

• Theresa Sullivan, Macmillan Patient Information Lead, Mount Vernon Cancer Centre

• Dr Alison Evans, Head of Research and Policy, The Brain Tumour Charity 

QiC Oncology is a tri-partite programme that recognises, rewards and disseminates good practice in cancer management, education and patient care throughout the UK.

The programme is supported by the NHS, prominent cancer charities and leading pharmaceutical companies.

Speakers Biography:

Presenter 1: Sue Brand - It's in the Bag, Bristol Testicular Cancer Service

Biography: Sue (RGN BCs Hons) became a Germ Cell Clinical Nurse Specialist in June 2008. Soon realised that the support structure for men with testicular cancer needed work and that men wanted to "give something back".  Co-founder of It's in the Bag a charity fund and patient forum and helped instigate various projects including: 'get into your NEW PANTS' a guide to living well after chemotherapy, 'It's in the Banter', bimonthly Support Activities, 'and residential 'Living Beyond Testicular Cancer course'. I am passionate about  It's in the Bag and what it stands for, user and public involvement, encouraging self-management and giving men the tools they need to survive. 

Category entered in 2012 was Cancer Charity Initiative of the year

Title: It's in the Bag: Supporting men with Testicular Cancer in the South West

Summary: It's in the Bag is a charitable fund, currently part of the Above & Beyond charity which itself supports Bristol's city centre hospitals. A unique combination of enthusiastic patients and members of the Bristol Testicular Cancer Service medical team, this patient led forum aims to raise awareness about and support and celebrate survival from testicular cancer in the South West, actively fundraising in support of these aims. in 2011, It's in the Bag launched the 'Keep Calm and Check Your Balls' campaign, designed by patients and aimed at heightening awareness about the disease amongst the target group of young adult males. With the help of volunteers, the organisation is on its way to building a model that could be rolled out across the UK.

Presenter 2: Theresa Sullivan – Macmillan Patient Information Lead, Mount Vernon Cancer Centre

Biography: Theresa Sullivan BSN has been a Macmillan Patient Information Lead at the Lynda Jackson Macmillan Centre since 2009 and works to support patients in the Mount Vernon Cancer Centre catchment area. 

Category entered in 2012 was Cancer Charity Initiative of the year

Title: Working Collaboratively to improve Patient Experience: Pre-Chemotherapy Group Sessions at the Lynda Jackson Macmillan Centre

Summary: The time between diagnosis and the start of treatment can be a period filled with high anxiety but receiving information and support prior to treatment can improve patient outcomes. Over the past two years the information team at the Lynda Jackson Macmillan Centre (LJMC) has worked to develop pre-chemotherapy sessions that provide support for patients and their carers before they start their treatment. Introducing pre-treatment information in the non-clinical atmosphere of the LJMC ensures that patients and carers are aware of the support available to them throughout their treatment and helps them walk through the door a second time.

Presenter 3: Dr Alison Evans - The Brain Tumour Charity

Biography: Dr Alison Evans joined The Brain Tumour Charity in 2012 and manages the charity's research and policy department, including our HeadSmart campaign. 

Category entered in 2012 was Cancer Charity Initiative of the year

Title: HeadSmart – be brain tumour aware

Summary: HeadSmart is a national campaign, based on an NHS Evidence-accredited guideline, to raise awareness of childhood brain tumour signs and symptoms, amongst health professionals and the public, reducing diagnosis times and improving outcomes. 

Ten children are diagnosed each week in the UK and brain tumours are the most common cause of cancer-related deaths associated with acquired disability in 2/3 of survivors.

HeadSmart has a range of resources to:

• empower parents to recognise symptoms so they visit doctors appropriately
• support health professionals to feel confident in discriminating which children may have a tumour and appropriate subsequent management