New Nursing Roles

20 December 1999

Patients, including those with cancer, are receiving valuable support and counselling when they are feeling at their most vulnerable thanks to appointments to two new nursing posts. Maggie Harold, sister on ward F6, is now the trust's colorectal nurse specialist and Jane Batten, sister female surgery, is the gynaecology/fertility nurse.

Around 120 new patients a year are being diagnosed with colorectal or large bowel cancer in west Suffolk. It is the second most common cause of cancer death after lung cancer and nationally over 30,000 people a year are diagnosed as having the problem. It affects both men and women, mainly older people. However there are over 6,000 cases a year in people aged under 60. If it is caught in its early stages bowel cancer is one of the most curable cancers.

"Unfortunately many people regard the condition of their bowels as a 'taboo' subject and do not go to their GP if there is a problem," says Maggie Harold.

"Rectal bleeding should prompt people to act as this can indicate the presence of abnormal growths or polyps which may or may not be cancerous.”

Maggie Harold is working with the colorectal surgeons, Mr Hell Keeling and Mr David Lawrence and other members of the multidisciplinary team including a specialist stoma care nurse and dietitian.

She is monitoring and setting standards for patient care and most importantly providing a friendly face and support at every stage of the patient's journey.

"To hear the dreaded word cancer can be devastating for many patients and it is important they have an opportunity to talk through their fears," she said.

"I will be able to give patients the most up-to-date information on all diseases of the bowel, including cancer, and if I can't help with a particular problem then I will contact people who can in social services or support groups.

The role of gynaecology/fertility nurse is allowing Jane Batten the time to focus on her work with couples who need fertility treatment. Alongside consultant colleagues she will also be developing gynaecology services including an outpatient hysteroscopy clinic for women with post menopausal bleeding.

The benefits of carrying out a hysteroscopy as an outpatient procedure are that it replaces the need for women to be admitted as a day case patient and avoids the use of a general anaesthetic.

For the vast majority of women the investigation will reveal that there is no cause for concern. However if surgery is necessary patients are immediately referred to the specialist gynaecological cancer centre at Addenbrooke's Hospital.

Diagnosis of suspected ovarian cancer and the rarer cervical cancer is also carried out at the West Suffolk in what will be called the Gynaecological Diagnostic Unit. The trust is proposing to develop fax referrals to ensure no time is wasted in implementing the required standard of a maximum two week wait.

The specialist nurse provides continuity of care during the patient's journey. Jane explains: "Patients need to see a familiar face and to have a single point of contact for information and support as they move between the Diagnostic Unit in the hospital and the Cancer Centre in Addenbrooke's," said Jane.

"I can provide important counselling for Women with cancer and those worried they may have the disease. I also provide counselling for couples experiencing problems in early pregnancy who may have to come to terms with the possibility of life without children. I find I have to deal with a very wide range of emotions.