Cancer patients get support to navigate life after treatment
A new specialist support service will help patients living with the long-term effects of head and neck cancer treatment.
The new service, being launched at Southend Hospital, is among those offered by Allied Health Professionals whose work is once again being spotlighted on Allied Health Professionals Day on 14 October.
The clinic, only the second of its kind in the UK, has been shaped by patients, carers, cancer support and local community groups, alongside healthcare professionals.
Advances in cancer treatment mean more people are surviving and living well after cancer, but some patients continue to experience lasting effects from surgery, radiotherapy and chemotherapy, which can emerge months or even years later.
These can include difficulties with swallowing, speech, eating and taste, which can have a significant impact on confidence, wellbeing and daily life.
Naman Julka-Anderson, a Macmillan Specialist Radiographer at Mid and South Essex NHS Foundation Trust, has worked with patients, members of the head and neck multidisciplinary team, and specialist colleagues from University College London Hospitals and Norfolk and Norwich University Hospitals to develop the dedicated late effects clinic and address this gap.
Naman said:
“People are living longer than ever after cancer treatment, which is fantastic, but we’re not always set up to support them with the long-term effects. As an Allied Health Professional (AHP), a big part of my role is looking at how we can improve services around patients’ needs.
“This clinic has been created to help people navigate those challenges, improve their quality of life and make sure they have somewhere to turn for specialist advice and support.”
Reflecting on what the service means for patients, he added: “Many patients aren’t necessarily looking for a cure. They want someone to help them understand what’s happening, what to expect and what support is available.
“It’s a privilege to be able to use my knowledge and experience as a therapeutic radiographer to help people improve their quality of life and regain confidence in living with the long-term effects that can result from cancer treatment.”
Some patients can also struggle to access the specialist support they need, particularly once they have been discharged from routine follow-up care.
As well as offering this support, the clinic will collect information to build a better understanding of how treatment-related side effects develop over time. This will support research aimed at identifying patients who may be most at risk of developing long-term complications and help inform future services, both locally and nationally.
The specialist support service will help patients across mid and south Essex, with face-to-face appointments initially taking place at Southend Hospital. Appointments at Basildon and Broomfield hospitals are planned for the future.