Article

Macmillan lung cancer/ Mesothelioma nurse specialist appointed

Kent and Medway Cancer Network have taken the initiative to be the first Cancer Network to appoint a Macmillan Clinical Nurse Specialist in Lung Cancer/ Mesothelioma, Frances McKay. Medway is a national ‘hot spot’ for new cases of mesothelioma because of its proximity to Chatham Docks and has approximately 1.8% of the 1,900 nationally reported cases. This figure is expected to rise to over 3,000
over the next 10 years. Kent and Medway therefore will continue to see many more new cases of mesothelioma in the next few decades. Because mesothelioma is relatively uncommon and tends to occur in regional ‘pockets’ relating to local industrial history, most health professionals will not have had a great deal of experience or special knowledge of this disease. It is therefore essential that the centres dealing with this disease have specially trained clinicians to support and maintain a service tailored to the unique needs of this particular patient group. Frances is an experienced Macmillan Nurse and has a wealth of experience in the fields of Cancer and Palliative Care. She previously set up nurse-led services for patients living with chronic respiratory disease. Frances will be based at Medway Maritime Hospital and will have a key role in taking forward the strategic direction of nurse led services for patients with mesothelioma and their carers. She will work closely with her Nurse colleagues in Kent providing
professional leadership in developing and establishing a wide range of services for patients, carers and health professionals, including the delivery of high quality information and education. Frances will work on national and local priorities relating to mesothelioma ensuring that National initiatives will be co-ordinated locally to provide a more coordinated and equitable approach to mesothelioma. Frances will be working closely with the National mesothelioma resource Centre assisting in covering their telephone information line. This appointment will be extremely beneficial in producing higher quality of care and access for patients living with Mesothelioma and their carers especially in Kent where because of the docks the service is much needed. Thomson Snell and Passmore would like to congratulate Frances on her appointment and wish her well in the development of this much needed resource in the treatment of this terrible disease. This Article was written with the permission of Frances McKay of Medway Maritime Hospital.

For further enquiries please contact Peter Flory (view full profile) on 01892 701323 or email pflory@ts-p.co.uk.

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