The role of lung cancer nurse specialists
Intended for healthcare professionals
Art & Science Previous     Next

The role of lung cancer nurse specialists

John White Lead Macmillan lung cancer nurse specialist, St James’s Hospital, National Lung Cancer Forum for Nurses

John White assesses the pivotal part experts play in supporting patients from diagnosis to follow up and survivorship, providing them with information and acting as co-ordinators between individuals and multidisciplinary team members

A report published by the National Lung Cancer Forum for Nurses and the Roy Castle Lung Cancer Foundation examines the contribution of lung cancer nurse specialists (LCNSs) to quality patient care at all stages of the disease pathway. The National Institute for Health and Care Excellence recommends that an LCNS is available at all stages of care, with the UK Lung Cancer Coalition stating that patients should have access to an LCNS for support and advocacy when they need it.

However, growing caseloads, the expectation for all patients to have a holistic needs assessment completed at various points of the pathway, an increasingly complex workload and NHS financial pressures all present potential barriers to the delivery of high quality care for patients. This article examines the complex and varied role of LCNSs. It is important to note that when discussing lung cancer the principles of care also apply to patients with mesothelioma although this disease is not discussed.

Cancer Nursing Practice. 12, 9, 16-22. doi: 10.7748/cnp2013.11.12.9.16.e1000

Correspondence

john.white@leedsth.nhs.uk

Peer review

This article has been subject to double blind peer review

Conflict of interest

None declared

Received: 24 May 2013

Accepted: 11 September 2013

Want to read more?

Already subscribed? Log in

OR

Unlock full access to RCNi Plus today

Save over 50% on your first 3 months

Your subscription package includes:
  • Unlimited online access to all 10 RCNi Journals and their archives
  • Customisable dashboard featuring 200+ topics
  • RCNi Learning featuring 180+ RCN accredited learning modules
  • RCNi Portfolio to build evidence for revalidation
  • Personalised newsletters tailored to your interests
Subscribe
RCN student member? Try Nursing Standard Student

Alternatively, you can purchase access to this article for the next seven days. Buy now

Or