Clatterbridge in the Community up for prestigious honour

Clatterbridge in the Community have been named as finalists in the cancer nursing category of the RCNi Nurse Awards, one of the most high profile ceremonies in the health profession.

The service sees specialist nurses visit patients at work to administer treatment, saving people the time and stress of visiting clinics for treatment. The service began with patients being treated at home.

Dot Probert, manager for Clatterbridge in the Community, said: "Getting back to work is a really important part of the treatment journey for many of our patients and we want to do everything we can to help them do that while they are still receiving vital treatment in a safe and comfortable environment.

"For our work to be recognised in this way is a huge honour for the entire team and we are very proud to be a finalist.

"We are hoping the service will continue to grow and help more patients who want to be treated at work.

"For some patients it can be a struggle and extra stress travelling to our clinics for treatment, particularly if they are back at work.

"Treatment at work is a great way to avoid that stress."

Currently patients who are receiving Herceptin (trastuzumab) or other treatments that are delivered by sub-cut injection are eligible for the service, but the team are hoping they can expand the treatments on offer in the future.

Glen Crisp from Warrington received her Herceptin injections at M&J Seafood in Birchwood, Warrington, where she works in accounts.

The 50-year-old, diagnosed with breast cancer in February 2017, said: "It is great as I could get back to work straight after my injection whereas I used to lose a whole day every time I had to have treatment.

"It really helped make life normal again and the nurses who treated me were wonderful."

The winners of the RCNi Nurse Awards will be announced on July 3 at the Park Plaza Hotel in London, hosted by television presenter Kate Garraway.