Wakefield Nurse Finalist For National Award
Justin, based at The Mid Yorkshire Hospitals NHS Trust, was nominated by colleagues in the Quality Improvement Excellence category which recognises professionals who have made significant improvements within an existing service offered to people living with cancer.
Many people with cancer who would prefer to die at home end up dying in hospital because limited resources are available to coordinate complex moves back to their home. In Wakefield, the Mid Yorkshire Hospitals NHS Trust have addressed this by creating a rapid discharge process for end of life care, which has been managed by Justin as the Macmillan Fast Track Facilitator.
Justin said:
“If somebody who’s at the end of their life needs to go home, I’ll bring the relevant parties and agencies together, coordinate everything, and get them home on the same day.
“Communication is key, and I have meaningful conversations with patients’ families so they understand what they're facing.
“It's a really important project because you only die once, so we only get one chance to get it right.”
Paul McCavana is the Macmillan Head of Services for the North. He said:
“This is a great example of how Macmillan is working with the NHS and social care to support and enhance the expertise of our cancer workforce in and around Wakefield.
“The success of this new way of working with patients and their families is down to an enormous amount of coordination and enthusiasm on Justin’s part, as well as a commitment to listening to the wishes of people living with cancer.”
The annual awards, which are now in their eighth year, are an opportunity for Macmillan to recognise and thank pioneering individuals who deliver the highest standards of care for people living with cancer.
Last year more than 350 Macmillan professionals, as well as representatives from Macmillan and leading healthcare institutions, attended the awards ceremony.
For support, information or if you have any questions, call Macmillan Cancer Support free on 0808 808 00 00 (Monday to Friday, 9am–8pm) or visit macmillan.org.uk.
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For further information, please contact:
Laura Boyd
External Communications Manager, Macmillan Cancer Support
07473 581 711/ 01904 756 414 / laboyd@macmillan.org.uk
