Hi all,,can anyone tell me if all newly diagnosed patients with cancer are given a specialist dedicated nurse? if not in what circumstances might one be assigned?
Hopefully others who have been in this situation will reply soon but I just wanted to stop by and give you our cancer nurses telephone number as they will be able to help you with this. Their freephone number is 0808 800 4040 and are available Monday - Friday between 9a.m - 5p.m so do give them a call when you can.
Everyone receiving NHS care for cancer should be given a dedicated nurse (sometimes referred to as a named nurse) as a first point of contact for any queries and concerns.
I'm not sure whether this applies everywhere but it is best practice and works well for both the patients and the hospitals as it reduces the number of calls you need to make trying to trck down someone who is able to help.
My own dedicated nurse's contact details were given to me at the consultation where I was given my diagnosis and referred on to an oncologist.
Like Dave I was introduced to my specialist nurse the same day that I got my initial diagnosis, I know that this is best practice and it happens in my area as well as Dave's,
I am not sure if the position is the same nationwide but why not try Steph's advice and phone one of the nurses on this site? They should be able to give you advice for the whole country,
