Congratulations to our Haematology team for scooping a national award for their incredible commitment to patients living with incurable cancer.
The team was presented with the Myeloma UK Clinical Service Excellence Programme (CSEP) Award in recognition of their outstanding care and dedication to people with myeloma, an incurable blood cancer which claims the lives of 3,000 people in the UK each year.
The team were praised for their efforts to improve patients’ quality of life and eagerness to listen to their needs.
The accolade, awarded by blood cancer charity Myeloma UK, recognises a hospitals’ commitment to raising the bar for treatment and providing compassionate care.
Theresa Street, Haematology Clinical Nurse Specialist said: “This demonstrates and recognises the high standards of care the haematology team, based at Eastbourne and Hastings, endeavour to achieve.
“Myeloma is a blood cancer that is not curable but treatable and subsequently, many of our patients undergo multiple lines of therapy, with some also requiring stem cell transplants. The support, encompassing both emotional and physical needs, required by patients and their families cannot be underestimated.”
Myeloma is especially hard to spot as the symptoms are often vague and dismissed as ageing or other minor conditions.
By the time many patients are diagnosed their cancer has often advanced and they require urgent treatment. This can significantly impact their chances of survival and quality of life.
Rhys Owens, Senior Clinical Practice Officer at Myeloma UK, said: “Myeloma is a challenging cancer which keeps coming back and can be difficult to cope with both physically and mentally, so patients really need a strong team in their corner.
“It’s very clear that staff at the Trust go the extra mile every day to help patients navigate treatment and the reality of living with an incurable cancer.
“They make sure people with myeloma have access to and really understand the benefits of clinical trials. This is absolutely crucial because myeloma becomes resistant to treatments over time, so patients are heavily reliant on new experimental drugs to keep their cancer in check.
“Staff also work closely with departments across the Trust to help patients manage the many complications caused by their cancer, including heart issues and damaged bones.”