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About our charity and what we stand for
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How our Late Effects Service has helped to transform lives for patients in Gloucestershire
Thanks to donations to our Focus fund, a new clinic has been offering personalised care and support to patients who are experiencing side effects of radiotherapy treatment.
Radiotherapy is a powerful tool in the fight against cancer, giving targeted precision treatment which destroys cancer cells. This treatment has a life transforming impact for local patients but in some instances, it can result in side effects that greatly impact on a person’s physical and psychological health. Not all patients will experience this, but for the ones who do, the Late Effects Service is there to support them.
Samantha Bostock, the Advanced Practitioner Therapeutic Radiographer who leads the service, has seen first-hand how it has helped change the lives of local cancer patients.
“At the Late Effects clinic, most patients receive a face-to-face initial appointment where they are given the opportunity to talk through all of their concerns, not just the reason they have been referred. They are able to talk about their symptoms, the impact they have and how they are feeling.”
“Together we create an action plan of management and support to help reduce the impact the late effects can have on daily life and activities. This plan involves patient-centred care with advice, support and changes the patient can make; introducing new ways of coping, dietary changes, exercises and medication if needed.”
“It was so helpful to talk about my symptoms and know it’s not just me. I’m more confident now that there is help for me in managing my symptoms. Having someone care and treat you as an individual, having someone believe you, finding ways to accept and manage symptoms; it’s a starting point to a better way of life.”
“My role has enabled me to make a huge difference to patients who are cancer-free but living with side effects of radiotherapy treatment. This is something I am really passionate about and I am extremely grateful to Focus for believing in the service and supporting its development. It’s had a considerable impact on people’s ability to understand and manage their symptoms. To see patients leave the clinic smiling and hopeful for the future, after walking in thinking nothing can be done, is extraordinarily satisfying and humbling.”
Thank you to everyone who has donated to Focus to help fund provisions over and the above what the NHS can provide. You can find out more about how the charity is making a difference at our Focus page.
Making hospital life better
