|  | | |  | |  | | Leukaemia Research have produced patient information for over 30 years. During this time our booklets and factsheets have helped many people and their relatives who are diagnosed with leukaemia or a blood cancer.
Accessible information can sometimes be hard to find when you are first diagnosed with a serious illness. Patients may feel scared of the unknown or that some information may not be relevant to their situation.
Many nurses now use Leukaemia Research patient information as part of their management of patients. |
 | Leukaemia Research patient information is delivered to over 200 hospitals a year |
| Nurses and hospitals staff regularly call the Information Team to request new orders for patient information |
| Nurses now know that when they attend a major nurse conference hosted by respected bodies like the the Royal College of Nursing, British Haematology Society and EBMT(UK), that they will be able to visit a Nursing Leukaemia/Leukaemia Research stand with our information |
 | Meeting Patient Information Needs |
Patients need good information. Research has shown that someone who is well informed has a much better recovery from illness than someone who is not. Nurses have direct communication with patients and are often seen as the major information giver while providing care and treatment in clinics, departments, hospital units and in the community.
| Nurses are often the first person to build up strong links with patients |
| Nurses are with patients during intensive treatment regimes and at an emotionally complex times in their lives |
| Nurses are expected to provide patients with relevant information about their condition |
When a patient is in hospital they will see a variety of staff, this can range from medical staff, allied professionals like radiologists, physiotherapists and occupational therapists.
Nursing is seeing the development of existing and new roles.
| Nurse Consultant |
| Clinical Nurse Specialist |
| Research Nurses |
| Support Nurse |
| Haematology Trained Nurse |
| Chemotherapy Nurse |
| Community staff |
| Registered Nurse |
| Student nurse |
| non-registered Health Care Assistant |
There have been many reforms in the Health Service over the past decade. Nurses at all levels are using a team approach whilst also ensuring that the information they provide remains consistent. Instrumental documents include:
| The Patients Charter (1995, 2000) |
| NHS Cancer Plan (2000)) |
| The NICE Guidelines for haematology (2003) |
Charities have also been recognised for their commitment to fighting cancer within the NHS Cancer Plan. The Plans aim to streamline health services for better patient diagnosis, treatment, management and research recommends that the voluntary sector has a role in contributing to these activities. Leukaemia Research is recognised for its successful investment into important research for leukaemia and blood cancers, with its commitment to patient information being a valuable resource. The Nursing Leukaemia campaign represents the charitys recognition of what is happening at a national level.
| Education |
All nurses as part of their registration and ability to care for patients at a both basic and often a highly skilled level are required to keep themselves updated and in a process of continual education. Many nurses have found that our information contributes to their educational needs. Our information helps nurses because:
| It improves their knowledge of haematological malignancies |
| Nurse education improves patient care and management and leads to better patient outcomes |
| Increased awareness helps nurses find out about specific areas of haematology |
| What is Leukaemia Research doing? |
The Nursing Leukaemia campaign is developing into a unique package for nurses, providing information, events and education to nurses.
| Nurses can join our mailing list and receive a quarterly information pack which includes a nurse newsletter, events, campaign items. Sign up postcards are included so more nurses can join the mailing |
| See our information at exhibition stands at nurse-led conferences. Speak to Nursing Leukaemia representatives, discuss your information needs, pick up publications and sign up to the mailing |
| View our website at www.nursing-leukaemia.org.uk. The web pages provide information, news, events, journal reviews specific to nursing in haematology and with more on-board |
| Visit your medical/nurse libraries to find out more about us. Look out for the Nursing Leukaemia posters depicting haematology nurses at work, with information about our campaign |
| Nurse educators are finding out more about the campaign. They are receiving an education pack and will tell you about Leukaemia Research. Speak to your nurse tutor or lecturer practitioner at your faculty of health and get them in contact with us if they havent received a pack |
As always, we want to keep in contact with you so please feedback to us your thoughts and opinions about Nursing Leukaemia. Send your views to lfernandes@lrf.org.uk |
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