Norfolk and Norwich University Hospitals NHS FT’s (NNUH), Cromer and District Hospital, has opened a new service aimed at providing further support and care to cancer patients closer to their homes.
The satellite service is part of the NNUH Acute Oncology and Haematology Service (AOHS), and has just started helping patients, who are experiencing symptoms or side effects as a result of their cancer or ongoing treatment.
It is led by a team of advanced nurse practitioners and nurse specialists, and runs three days a week in the Mobile Cancer Care Unit (MCCU), but will run from Monday to Friday when the new North Norfolk Macmillan Centre opens. The MCCU launched earlier this year in partnership with cancer charity Hope for Tomorrow.
The service is able to carry out assessments, symptom management and procedures, as a way to treat recognised complications from cancer or cancer treatments. Blood tests are also carried out, including central line flushes, dressings and care of catheters, drains, and stomas.
The nursing team said: “We are really pleased to be offering this satellite service to patients closer to their homes in North Norfolk to help them with their symptoms.
“There is a 24/7 number for patients to call, but we know that for some patients, the Norwich AOS is too far to travel and that some patients may opt to stay at home and suffer with their symptoms. We hope we reach out to more cancer patients in the Cromer area with this service.”
The North Norfolk Macmillan Centre is part of a collaboration between Macmillan Cancer Support, the Norfolk and Norwich University Hospitals NHS FT, and the N&N Hospitals Charity.
The centre will offer six chemotherapy treatment chairs, with capacity to treat up to 36 patients a day, three new clinic rooms, and two new minor procedure rooms, as well as a Macmillan cancer information and support centre.
