Published on: 3 June 2024
Experts will be on hand to give patients treated for head and neck cancer the information they need to help them on their recovery journey.
South Tyneside and Sunderland NHS Foundation Trust is hosting the day at Bethany City Church, which is part of Bede Tower in Burdon Road, Sunderland, on Thursday, June 13.
It will run from 10am to 3.30pm and is free to join in. A free light lunch will be served and drinks provided. There will be a private area for anyone with a feeding tube to use.
Places on the day need to be booked in advance.
The day will bring together patients and their families following a cancer diagnosis and completion of treatment.
The aim of the event will be to sign-post health and wellness services and offer information to help manage long-term symptoms.
It will also look at ways to keep physically and mentally well, how to handle stress and offer tailored programmes for exercise and nutrition.
Videos will be screened and subjects and speakers on the day will be:
- Patient’s Experience - Moving Forward Following Head and Neck Cancer with Claire Scott
- Late effects of Head and Neck Cancer and new developments - Mr Ajay Wilson, Oral and Maxillofacial Consultant
- Thoughts about the Future Workshop, Dr Sonia Wilson, Lead Psychologist
- Promoting Head and Neck Patients in Research - Mary Peel, Research Patient Ambassador
- Personalised Care - Sharon Smith, Personalised Care Manager
- Movement is Medicine - Zak Turner- Cook – Keep Active
- Importance of Getting Good Sleep – video - Professor Jason Ellis
- Importance of Mindfulness - delivered by The Little Company of Calm
There will be the opportunity to ask questions, along with access to information stalls tailored for patients and their carers and families, who will offer advice and support.
Northen Cancer Voices is among those who will be involved in the day. Its representative Jackie Robson and colleagues will be supported by Mayor of Sunderland Councillor Allison Chisnall, who is the organisation’s ambassador, and her consort.
Others to attend will be:
- Healthwatch
- Age UK Sunderland
- Macmillan Cancer Information and Support
- Nutricia Specialist Entral Feeding Services
- Speech and Swallowing Support
- Nutritional Support
- Mouth Care Matters
- Sunderland City Council Carers Centre
- St Benedict’s Hospice Day Care Services
Rachael Bannister-Young is a Macmillan Head and Neck Clinical Nurse Specialist with the Trust and has organised the day.
She said:
"This event will feature speakers, information stalls and a chance to meet other patients also affected by head and neck cancer.
"They will hopefully be able to talk with each other about their experiences and seek information in a more informal environment speaking with specialist health professionals working in head and neck cancer.
"The event is also aimed at supporting family members and carers, offering them the opportunity to find out what help is available and to meet other people who may wish to share their experiences.
"We know everyone’s needs are different, so we’ll be looking to guide people to what’s best suited for them and let them know there is a lot of support available and they’re not alone."
Margaret Todd, from Sunderland, is being treated for mouth cancer after it was diagnosed in February. She is being treated at Sunderland Royal Hospital and the Freeman Hospital in Newcastle.
Margaret Todd chats with Camilla Campbell, Head and Neck Clinical Nurse Specialist at STSFT.
She said:
"The nurses and doctors, everyone has been really good at explaining what is going to happen to me. It’s so important to know what’s going on, it helps put you at ease.
"I think this event is going to be a big help for people, so they know how much is available to support patients and make them aware.
"I know it can be very hard for carers, partners and other family members to go through this with the patient, but there are others on hand to help."
To book a place at the event please contact Sue Paul, Head and Neck Senior Secretary, by calling (0191) 541 0149.
A wealth of information to help can be found through the Trust's Cancer Information Hub page.
The portal brings together videos and information about treatment patients may be offered and support which is available.
