Cancer support nurses turning compassionate skills to coronavirus patients and their families

Cancer support nurses are switching to helping families coping with the fallout if someone is diagnosed with coronavirus.

Macmillan medics are still supporting people living with cancer – but also diverting their skills to help reduce the immense strain put on the NHS by coronavirus.

Macmillan Cancer Support and Information Centre Manager Alison Boyd, from Bromley, has volunteered to join the NHS front line at the Nightingale Hospital, returning to her former role in nursing.

Alison usually works in the currently-closed Chelsea and Westminster Hospital’s Macmillan Cancer Information Centre.

While it is closed, she has taken up a role in the Nightingale’s family liaison and support team, using the same skills, compassion and knowledge she usually applies to supporting people living with cancer to now help Covid-19 patients and their families.

Her dedicated team of nine volunteers continue to provide phone and signposting support to cancer patients at Chelsea and Westminster Hospital’s Macmillan Cancer Information Centre.

But Alison has joined the fight to beat back the immediate threat of Covid-19 at the Nightingale, which can look after up to 4,000 patients at any one time. She is expected to be deployed to the NHS Nightingale at the Excel Centre for an estimated four to six weeks.

She said: “I want to apply the same skills I use daily to support people with cancer like treating people with compassion and warmth to now help patients affected by Covid-19.

“Families and patients will still need the same kind of understanding and care, perhaps even more so since some patients are not allowed to see their family or loved ones. So clear and kind communication will be hugely important.

Alison qualified as a nurse from King’s College University London in 1996, and has worked in respiratory and A&E nursing before specialising in oncology, and also has had counsellor training.

In 2018 she took up the role as Macmillan Information and Support Centre Manager, and is employed by Chelsea and Westminster Hospital NHS Foundation Trust.

Comprehensive cancer information and support, including the latest guidance on the impact of coronavirus on cancer care is available on www.macmillan.org.uk and the online community continues to provide invaluable emotional and peer support. The Macmillan Support Line is now open seven days a week between 9am and 5pm on 0808 808 00 00.

Pictured top: The Nightingale Hospital in London