National Inspiring People Award for the Breast CNS at Spire Little Aston
10 January 2018
In December 2017 Gill Farrington, Clinical Nurse Specialist in Breast Care at Spire Little Aston Hospital, was awarded one of the Spire National Inspiring People Awards for her work with introducing the "Living with and beyond cancer" programme.
Gill's role is to support patients who have, or fear they have, breast cancer. She provides information, support, counselling and practical advice to patients and carers from presentation, through diagnosis, treatment, rehabilitation and beyond. Gill's work in the 'rehabilitation and beyond' aspect of her role has led her to receiving this award in December 2017.
The “Living with and beyond cancer” programme at Spire Little Aston Hospital is based on the Macmillan principles of "The Recovery Package" which was developed and tested by the National Cancer Survivorship Initiative (NCSI - a partnership of Macmillan Cancer Support, Department of Health and NHS England) to assist people living with a cancer diagnosis to help them prepare for their future post diagnosis, identify their concerns and support their needs. It is envisaged that this will help patients return to 'as near normal lifestyle as possible'.
Cancer patients may experience emotional difficulties such as anxiety, uncertainty and sadness and in some cases depression (Macmillan, 2009). The Living with and Beyond Cancer group is facilitated jointly by a Consultant Clinical Psychologist and Clinical Nurse Specialists in cancer/oncology and aims to provide a space for cancer patients to learn about a wide variety of cancer related issues in an informal setting.
Congratulations to Gill and all the Oncology team for their work with the introduction of the "Living with and beyond cancer” programme.