Jo praises work of specialist cancer nurses

3.15.49pm BST (GMT +0100) Mon 19th Jul 2010

Jo has met with specialist lung cancer nurses in Parliament, to find out about the invaluable contribution that they make to patient care.

More than 109 people are diagnosed with lung cancer every day; however there is a major shortfall in the number of specialist nurses who are trained in the complex needs of lung cancer patients. Specialist lung cancer nurses often deal with more than double the caseload faced by nurses trained to deal with other common forms of cancer.

Commenting, Jo said:

"Lung cancer nurses do amazing work in helping patients to understand their diagnosis and prepare for treatment, as well as supporting patients' families. Access to specialist nurses is vital to help people manage life with this complex and difficult condition."

Commenting, Liz Darlison, Chair of the National Lung Cancer Forum for Nurses said:

"Policymakers must recognise the important role that lung cancer Clinical Nurse Specialists make to the lives of patients with lung cancer and the need to address the deficit of these nurses."

Related Link:

National Lung Cancer Forum for Nurses