The Acute Oncology service is nurse-led and supported by clinical and medical oncology specialist registrars, ensuring that our patients who develop acute cancer-related or cancer treatment-related problems, receive the care they need quickly and in the most appropriate setting.
We work alongside an MUO (Malignancy of Unknown Origin) clinical nurse specialists, managing patients through the diagnostic pathways when they are newly diagnosed and during an acute episode of illness. We also support the management of CUP (cancer of unknown primary) patients where a primary cancer can not be determined.
What is the role of the Acute Oncology team?
The role of the team is to assess patients who are acutely unwell due to their cancer. The team offers support and advice to the medical and surgical teams, recommend further investigations and referrals to other specialties.
This helps reduce delays in diagnosis or treatment and facilitate prompt discharges from hospital as well as supporting our patients and their families.
The team liaises closely with our oncologists, multi-disciplinary teams and other specialist nursing teams to provide the best possible experience for our patients.
What does the Acute Oncology team do?
- Provides telephone advice to patients experiencing complications due to their cancer or treatment
- Provides expert clinical advice to colleagues within the wider MTW clinical teams who are medically responsible for looking after cancer patients during a period of acute admission
- Offers support and advice to patients and their families to help them make decisions about their treatment during an acute episode of illness
- Provides expert assessment and assists in ensuring that all cancer patients have a robust care plan relating to the management of their disease
- Give advice and education to other healthcare professionals
- Helps facilitate an early discharge from hospital wherever possible
- Works with colleagues in the community to avoid unnecessary hospital admissions