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Hospital staff have been nominated for a national cancer nursing award, after they helped improve the lives of patients.

The Living Well Cancer Programme is now up for a Nursing Times Award. The programme offers rehabilitation to cancer patients at diagnosis and supports them through treatment in their homes. 

The dedicated team includes a cancer physiotherapist, occupational therapist, dietitian, psychologist, cancer support worker and cancer nurse specialist, all offering patients ‘prehabiliation’, where they are supported with their exercise, nutrition and wellbeing, to help improve outcomes.

And those taking part in the programme, which was run at Broomfield Hospital, saw improved motivation and reduced levels of anxiety.

One patient said: “I arrived in a wheelchair and was really pleased with my progress. It’s difficult to put in words how much it has helped. The exercises have helped with my long-term back pain and sleep. Since I’ve finished with the clinic I’ve returned to doing everything at home. It gave me confidence to do more, and I have even started driving again.”

Another said: “I think you are all doing a fantastic job supporting people like myself during this very uncertain time in our lives.”

Emma Chaplin, Lead Cancer Nurse for the Trust, said: “It is of course wonderful to be shortlisted for such a prestigious award, but even better news is that funding has been secured to have the Living Well Cancer team help patients across all our sites, which means we’ll be able to help even more people.

“This nomination is purely down to the work of a great team and the positive impact this programme has had on improving care to our cancer patients.” 

Winners of the award will be announced in London this October.