Macmillan Nurses
Macmillan Cancer Support is one of the largest British charities and provides specialist health care, information and financial support to people affected by cancer.As well as helping with the medical needs of people affected by cancer, Macmillan also looks at the social, emotional and practical impact cancer can have, and campaigns for better cancer care. Macmillan Cancer Support’s goal is to reach and improve the lives of everyone living with cancer in the UK by 2010.
Macmillan Cancer Support provides specialist nurses, Macmillan Nurses, who are present in many large UK hospitals. Macmillan nurses are registered nurses with at least five years’ experience, including two or more years in cancer or palliative care. They also complete specialist courses in managing pain and other symptoms, and in psychological support. Macmillan nurses are usually employed by the NHS and their posts are funded by Macmillan for a set time, commonly the first three years. After that time, the long-term funding is taken up by the NHS or other partner organisations. The nurses work in NHS hospitals and the community, but are not usually associated with private health care.
Cancer has touched the lives of a number of people in our office. DC Neil Sinclair is currently undergoing chemotherapy for non-Hodgkins lymphoma. He has a Macmillan Nurse working with him through this difficult time.
Neil writes:
I cannot describe how I felt on being told I had cancer, but to say I was scared is not enough. I was laughing on the outside while crying inside. I was afraid to listen too closely to the doctors, or ask questions because I didn’t want to hear that I might die. I had never felt so alone or so afraid; being brave for my family was taking its toll. I had completed my first course of treatment and was sat alone in the dark, sobbing and unable to control my fear anymore. A male nurse came to visit me and his first words were, “Its ok I’m here.” Over the course of the following months he explained to me everything about my illness and the effects the treatment would have upon me. He then came with me and was with me when I explained it all to my family. He has stood and supported me as I fight the fight – and then stood with my family as they have to standby. He is Patrick, a care nurse with the Macmillan Cancer Trust, my nurse, my friend, my confident and my hope for a future.
Barking, Havering & Redbridge
Hospitals Trust.
Barking, Havering and Redbridge University Hospitals NHS Trust operates across two main sites at Queen’s and King George hospitals serving a population of around 700,000 from a wide range of social and ethnic groups, making it one of the largest acute hospital trusts in England.
Registered in 1996, BHR Hospitals Charity aims to improve patient and staff welfare and enhance the hospital environment for patients, staff and visitors. Here are just a few examples of how your donation, large or small, can make a real and immediate difference:
£10 could buy bravery stickers and toys for children undergoing treatment.
£50 could pay for our Volunteer and Employee of the Month awards.
£200 could purchase a TV in lockable, portable casing for patients confined to bed.
£250 could buy a portable bed for parents to stay on the ward with their sick children.
£400 could pay for additional wheelchairs for less mobile patients.
In October 2008 George Stanbrook-Evans was born at Queens Hospital, Romford. He was born 4 MONTHS early and spent over 100 days in the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit at Queens Hospital. Without the care and assistance of the Doctors and Nurses at the hospital neither he nor his parents, Dan and Clare, felt they would have got through this incredibly difficult period. The Doctors and Nurses in the unit not only cared for George but also acted as friends and social workers for Dan and Clare in their time of need. They themselves have nothing but praise for the unit. We hope to assist by providing a donation to the Parents and Staff of the Neonatal Unit that will provide equipment to make stays easier for parents.
