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Cancer support nurses: a co-ordinating role in cancer care
M B McIllmurray1, M Cummings, E Hopkins
1Royal Lancaster Infirmary, UK.
European Journal of Cancer Care
|August 11, 1998
Abstract:
Cancer support nurses (CSNs) have a key co-ordinating role in the cancer services in North Lancashire and South Lakeland. The working practices of the three CSNs in North Lancashire are described in detail. There was a total cumulative caseload of 604 patients in September 1996, with 397 referrals in the previous 12-month period. There were 267 deaths during this time. CSNs are an essential element of cancer service provision. A ratio of one CSN to 40,000 population gives a manageable workload, provided there is an infrastructure of supportive care to which patients, carers and bereaved can be referred.