July 2013
The Breast Cancer Aotearoa Coalition (BCAC) welcomes recent news that 50 cancer nurses are now in place in DHBs throughout the country working as dedicated nurse coordinators guiding cancer patients through their treatment and follow up care.
Attending the inaugural Cancer Nurse Coordinator Forum in Wellington, Natalie James, National Nurse Lead of the Cancer Nurse Coordinator Initiative, says the aim is to have dedicated cancer nurses acting as a single point of contact and assisting patients and their families across different parts of the health service.
BCAC chairperson Libby Burgess says those with cancer will welcome the opportunity to deal with one person throughout their treatment programme.
“New Zealanders with cancer often deal with many health professionals during their illness and this can add to the stress and anxiety they are already struggling with as they go through treatment.
“Having just one point of contact to co-ordinate a patient’s treatment and to provide emotional support is a valuable advance in medical practice and will go a long to alleviating some of the stress experienced by those with cancer.”
Ms James goes on to say, “Nurses are already making connections with patients in their regions and working with them as the patients start the complex cancer journey. Many have already received positive feedback from patients in their communities.”
In Wairarapa, cancer nurse coordinator Jacinta Buchanan is a single point of contact for clinical staff and patients. Using a specially developed IT application, she can track each patient to make sure appointments and treatments are progressing as quickly as possible, and monitor patients who are not moving as fast as they should along their cancer treatment journey.
Jacinta says, “Cancer can be a frightening experience and it’s my job to make sure the patient is at the centre of the process. It’s good for patients to know there are people in their court looking out for them.”
In Waitemata, Sandra Sheene is leading the DHB’s new cancer nurse coordinators in a project to improve communication by incorporating special templates into the hospital documentation system that record notes on patients assessments, care plans and progress.
Sandra says, “Cancer nurse coordinators can now document every intervention they have with patients and this can be seen by other health professionals. This is fantastic as it has improved communication.”
The Government is investing $4 million a year to ensure every DHB has at least one full time dedicated cancer nurse as part of its commitment to provide better and faster cancer services.
