Patient Services - Focus on Patients

The Patient Services Directorate places the care of patients and their families at the heart of everything it does. 1999/2000 has seen the establishment of a new Patient Services Strategy which focuses on patient information, health promotion and patient involvement, to name just a few key issues, to support the implementation of this strategy.

The Macmillan Cancer Information Centre opened in October 1999 and has allowed patients and families to gain access to a comprehensive range of literature and support about cancer in a supportive environment. In-house patient information is currently being reviewed, updated and expanded to provide every patient with the level of information they require about their particular illness or treatment.

The Trust's multi-professional Rehabilitation Team continues to grow to support patient service development and this year has seen the appointment of a Colorectal Cancer Nurse. This appointment further enhances tumour-based care through which patients are cared for by a health professional who is a specialist in a particular disease.

The professional education of all professional and support staff remains a priority and the Trust's Clinical Education Department goes from strength to strength. Even more one-day conferences and accredited programmes now take place and the Department also runs an Introduction to Cancer and Communication Skills course for non-clinical staff, such as porters, who have significant patient contact. The programme has been very well evaluated by all participants and it enables them to be much more aware of, and responsive to, patients' needs.

The year under review has also seen the launch of the NHS's new Nursing Strategy: Making a Difference. A wide cross-section of CCO nursing staff has been involved in a working group to examine the document and to implement the recommendations which are appropriate within our Trust.

Our Volunteer Team is more vibrant than ever and individuals continue to make a valuable contribution, greeting patients at Main Reception, running craft classes and generally supporting paid staff. The appointment of a Volunteer Co-ordinator in the last year will allow increased benefits to patients and volunteers alike. Thanks are given again to the WRVS who have donated more than £26,000 in the last 12 months, which has been spent on equipment and other items to improve the quality of our services to patients.