CLIC Sargent backs RCN's Campaign

This is a response to the statement released by the Royal College of Nurses (24 February 2010) calling on all political parties to invest in specialist nurses.

Liz North, Director of Communications & Campaigning at CLIC Sargent says:

"We are pleased to add our support to the RCN's campaign which draws attention to the vital work of specialist nurses.

“The majority of the families that we talk to are telling us that the most important thing for them is to be able to spend as much time at home during treatment as possible.   Wherever possible our CLIC Sargent specialist children’s cancer nurses play a vital role in enabling care to be delivered safely in the community and at home helping families get back to a normal life as quickly as possible.

"It is CLIC Sargent's aspiration that all children and young people with cancer have access to a specialist children’s cancer nurse. We were therefore delighted at Gordon Brown's recent announcement that all cancer patients would have access to one-to-one care and support at home from a specialist nurse. We look forward to working with the Government to make this a reality and to ensure all children and young people with cancer have access to the best possible care and support."

CLIC Sargent’s report More Than My Illness recommends a new model of joined up service delivery for children and young people with cancer (and other complex health needs) that spans the health, education and social care sectors. It provides a toolkit for commissioners which will help them ensure that every child’s care and treatment is coordinated, and that they are able to safely leave hospital and spend more time at home during their treatment. 

More Than My Illness aims to support the full implementation of the NICE (National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence) Guidance Improving Outcomes for Children and Young People with Cancer.