Patients hail pilot breast cancer care
A NEW way of treating women with breast cancer led to a 50% reduction in consultant appointments and improved patient care.
A pilot run at Glasgow’s Stobhill Hospital offered women who had completed treatment one-to-one follow-up care with a clinical nurse specialist.
Patients who are recovering from surgery, chemotherapy or radiotherapy for breast cancer are normally given an annual mammogram and an automatic appointment with a consultant.
The patients taking part in the pilot still attended the mammogram but instead of an appointment with a specialist, were seen by a nurse who created an individual care plan to support women medically and emotionally.
The scheme saw a 50% reduction in consultant appointment, freeing up specialists for other, more complex cases.
Women in the pilot rated their support after treatment at 8.9 out of ten, compared to an average of 6.5 before the pilot.
Two thirds (66%) of women also said their needs were completely met compared to 24% of those who received the traditional model of follow-up care.
Breast cancer is the most common cancer in women in Scotland, accounting for 28.3% of all cancers diagnosed.
However, five year survival for women has increased substantially from 70.7% for those diagnosed between 1987 and 1991 to 88.0%.
Research shows many patients struggle with feelings of anxiety after treatment ends.
The project is part of the Scotland-wide Transforming Care After Treatment programme (TCAT) – a partnership between Macmillan Cancer Support, Scottish Government, NHS Scotland and local authorities.
Keith Ogston, Consultant Surgeon at Stobhill Hospital, said: “This project has helped free up senior medical time.
“I am now able to offer patients with more complex needs an extended appointment time, while more straightforward patients, who don’t necessarily need to see a doctor or medical consultant, can attend a mammogram and access other support relevant to their needs.”
Marion Macdonald, 58, from Glasgow, who was diagnosed with breast cancer in 2015, said: “I think if appointments are used in a way that allows patients to access the service when they actually need it, it is a much better use of resources.
“This was my experience when a week before my last mammogram, I had some concerns.
“I phoned one of the nurse specialists and asked if I could see someone on the day of my mammogram. Within half-an-hour I was offered an appointment with the consultant that same day. Fortunately, I was cleared and I was able to go away confident all was well.”
Gordon McLean, Macmillan’s National Programme Manager, said: “I hope other health boards will look at the successes of this project and consider how its lessons can be used to improve care after treatment across Scotland.”