Celebrating excellence in cancer care

Spring 2011 

Going above and beyond

Helen Stradling, Macmillan Specialist Nurse, won the 2010 Cancer Nurse Leader Award. Yvonne McKenna, Macmillan Lead Cancer Nurse, was also a finalist in this category.

The award, presented at the Nursing Times Awards| in November last year,recognises and rewards high-quality nursing leadership in cancer care.

‘I just do my job and so for others to acknowledge that it is being done well is a great feeling,’ says Helen.

Helen is based at the Nuffield Orthopaedic Centre| and Oxford Cancer Centre|. It’s 1 of 5 centres specialising in bone and soft tissue sarcomas|.

Since being in post, Helen has established nurse-led pre-assessment and follow-up clinics, and undertakes annual patient satisfaction surveys. Jo, the daughter of one of Helen’s patients says: ‘Helen has willingly gone the extra mile for my family, is fully committed, and cares passionately about her patients.’

You can read more about Helen’s service|.

Macmillan professionals top oncology awards

Macmillan professionals scooped an impressive seven awards at the Excellence in oncology awards|, held in October last year.

Dr Tessa Leverton, colleague Dr Rob Glynne-Jones and the team, won the ‘best professional education initiative’ category for their DVD-based training programme called The Clinic.

Aimed at clerical and support staff, the DVD aims to ensure all patients are treated with dignity and respect. You can watch the training videos on Learn Zone|.

Macmillan winners

- Clare Dikken, Macmillan Cancer Nurse Specialist

- Dr Darja Brandenburg, Macmillan Clinical Psychologist

- Rachel Sharkey, Macmillan Clinical Nurse Specialist in Urology Cancers

- Elizabeth Potter, former Macmillan Cancer Nurse Specialist

- The Bournemouth Active Cancer survivorship project

- The Leicester Thoracic Oncology Unit Team at University Hospitals of Leicester NHS Trust.

Congratulations to all the winners.