When a Cancer is suspected

Your Macmillan Clinical Nurse Specialist (CNS) in the gynaecological oncology team is a nurse who has specialist training and experience in both gynaecology and cancer nursing. We provide information, support, advocacy and guidance. We can also offer advice for all aspects of daily living affected by cancer.

There will be a number of different people involved in your care. As your CNS we can help you by acting as a link person between these professionals throughout your treatment. We work very closely with the hospital teams caring for you as well as with services provided in your local area.

We recognise that coming into hospital for investigations or treatment can be a difficult time for you and those close to you. We will make sure you will receive the best care and support possible. 

CNS's are available to:

• Help coordinate your care from diagnosis to treatment and through to follow-up care.
• Be a familiar face that can provide support to you and your family.
• Provide information on tests, investigations and treatment options.
• Offer support and advice on symptom control.    
• Provide a link to other professionals and support services.

Your Cancer Support Worker (CSW) is a consistent point of contact alongside your Clinical Nurse Specialist (CNS). They use their skills to actively listen to your worries and offer help and support to aid resolution of your concerns. 

CSW's help you to take control of your own care and enable self-management by providing emotional day-to-day support. This could be signposting to services, including those in the community. Your CSW is here to help you navigate the health and social care system. By listening to you we can identify your unique strengths and resources to help you and your family to cope.

A key requirement of the CSW role is excellent communication skills and a high degree of empathy, understanding, honesty and integrity. The aim is to provide personalised support and care with clear communication between primary and secondary care sectors ensuring that good relationships are built across all organisations.

In general, your first contact with your CSW will be upon an invitation to complete a Holistic Needs Assessment (HNA). This is a type of questionaire where your answers help us to know what is important to you and therefore aids us to personalise the care we give and the support we offer. A care plan will be generated as a result of this assessment and will be shared with you alongside additional signposting and support information.

A more recent way to complete a HNA is by using the Macmillan electronic Holistic Needs Assessment (eHNA). Below is a YouTube video explaining how the eHNA has helped patients with differing concerns. 

YouTube eHNA video

Surgical Team 

Gynaecology Cancer Nurse Specialists / Support Worker

Oncology 

Basingstoke and North Hampshire Hospital - (BNHH) includes googlemaps, sitemap, parking etc

The Women's Health Unit can be found on the second floor of the Sherborne building. The Gynae Assessment Unit (GAU) and Gynae Outpatients can be found on the first floor. 

Royal Hampshire County Hospital - (RHCH) includes googlemaps, sitemap, parking etc

Anthony Letchworth Ward and Gynae Outpatients can be found on the ground floor of Florence Portal House. 

Friends and Family Test (FFT) - Your Experience Matters. We would like your feedback on the care and treatment you have received.