Macmillan nurse specialists for gynaecology cancers

Who are the Macmillan nurse specialists for gynaecology cancers?

We are a team of nurses and a support worker. We are part of the Gynaecology Oncology Multidisciplinary Team (MDT) based at the Horizon Centre. The Horizon Centre is opposite the Sussex Cancer Centre at the Royal Sussex County Hospital in Brighton.

We specialise in the care and support of women diagnosed with a gynaecological cancer.

Who is in the MDT?

The MDT is made up of:

surgeons
oncologists (doctors who are experts in treating cancer)
nurses
radiologists (professionals who use imaging exams, like x-rays to diagnose and treat cancers)
pathologists (professionals who examines bodies and body tissues)
cancer co-ordinator.

We all meet regularly and will discuss your treatment as required.

What kind of cancers do you specialise in?

We support women diagnosed with a gynaecological cancer.

This includes cancer of the:

womb
ovary
cervix
vulva
vagina
fallopian tube
peritoneum (peritoneal cancer).

What do the Macmillan nurse specialists do?

Our role is to support you. We are a point of contact for you and will help to co-ordinate your care.

If you live in Worthing, Eastbourne or Hastings, the Gynaecology Nurse Specialists based there will become your contact.

We can offer advice and support to you throughout your treatment and follow-up care.

We can:

talk about your fears and anxieties
answer questions about your disease
talk about investigations
talk about procedures
talk about treatments
do a holistic needs assessment. This means we can talk to you about any other needs (physical, psychological, emotional and social), and not just your illness.

What can Macmillan Nurse Specialists help me with?

Managing the symptoms and treatments associated with cancer.
Adjusting to the diagnosis of cancer and the spread of cancer.
Support you with body image and psychosexual issues.
Support for your family and friends who care for you.
Communicating with services away from the hospital (for example, the GP, District Nurses, Hospice Care).
Advising about clinical trials and research.
Help you get back to your new routine after treatment finishes.

How can I contact the team?

The gynaecology clinical nurse specialists are Caroline, Charlie, and Claire.

The gynaecology Macmillan support worker is Kim. Macmillan support workers are not medically trained but they can provide information and support for you either by phone, face to face or referral onwards. If you do have any medical concerns, they will make sure that these are passed on to the right person.

The team are available Monday to Friday, 8am to 4pm.

Their contact details are:

01273 664455

uhsussex.gynae.cns@nhs.net

We may be out of the office when you call so please leave your name, hospital number, phone number and a message and we will aim to return your call within 24 to 48 hours.

Unfortunately, we are unable to provide an out-of-hours service over the weekends or Bank Holidays but you can leave us a voice message.

In an emergency, please contact your General Practitioner (GP) or NHS 111 or 999.

If you have a query relating to an appointment including scans and X-rays, please contact the relevant department directly who can help you with this.