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New programme launched at Trust for cancer patients
Written by Communications Team   

A new programme, known as Information Prescriptions (IP), has been established at Ashford and St Peter’s Hospitals to support and guide patients with cancer through their diagnosis, treatment and care.

IP Lead and Specialist Colorectal Cancer Nurse Specialist, Lynn De Snoo, explains: “As you would expect, a diagnosis of cancer can come as a huge shock to patients and they often struggle to take everything in. Their consultant may be talking about the stage of the cancer, operations and treatment options and it can just be overwhelming for some people. This is why it is so important to provide patients with good quality written information that they can take home and digest.”

 

The cancer services team with Diana Moran (centre dressed in red) and Chairman Aileen McLeish (to the right of Diana).


The concept of providing cancer patients with a personalised package of information was born out of the 2004 National Cancer Audit, which found that almost 40% did not receive adequate written information. Lynn adds: “Nationally in the past, the quality and quantity of written material has been a bit hit and miss. The IP programme is about making this consistent – ensuring that all patients receive good quality information relevant to their tumour type at the right time.”

The Information Prescription is downloaded from one website – www.nhs.uk/IPG - which both health professionals and patients can access. It draws together a wealth of information available across the internet, from sites such as MacMillan and Cancer Research, to provide a single and accurate point of reference. Users can then pick and choose the information they want – for example, about a particular chemotherapy treatment or type of surgery.

To celebrate the launch of Information Prescriptions at the Trust, the cancer services team hosted an awareness stand in the main reception at St Peter’s. They were joined by special guest Diana Moran, well known from her time as fitness expert in the 1980s as ‘The Green Goddess’.