Two NHS healthcare teams, both based in Harrow, have been honoured with Macmillan Professional Excellence awards for their dedication to supporting people living with cancer in the borough.
Clare Stevenson, MacMillan Consultant Clinical Psychologist, scooped the integration Excellence award for her work in the Psycho-Oncology team at Northwick Park Hospital in Harrow. This award celebrates NHS teams who have improved co-ordination across psychological services to ensure a seamless experience for people living with cancer.
Suzy Hudson, Personalised Cancer Care Lead accepted the Quality Improvement Excellence award on behalf of the Sarcoma Team at the Royal National Orthopaedic Hospital (RNOH) Trust. This award recognises teams who have made significant improvements within an existing cancer service
MacMillan’s independent awards highlight Macmillan professionals and teams who have done whatever it takes to support people living with cancer. The awards celebrate our professionals’ unique spirit by showcasing not just what Macmillan professionals do, but how they do it.
Suzy Hudson, Personalised Cancer Care Lead, said of her team’s award: “I’m delighted to accept this award on behalf of the Sarcoma Team at the RNOH. The RNOH is one of the country’s largest specialist Sarcoma centres. Sarcoma is a rare type of cancer, and because of this, patients often travel long distances to be treated by us.”
“We know that patients being treated away from home are also away from their usual support systems, so we work to make sure that patient’s emotional and social concerns are addressed as well as their healthcare needs, now patients see the right professional at the right time, are signposted more effectively to support and advice, and they get peer support from other patients too.”
Clare Stevenson, Macmillan Consultant Clinical Psychologist said: “I am so proud to work alongside MacMillan Counselling Psychologist Libby Lyons as part of the Psycho-Oncology Team at LNWUH. To be recognised with this award is truly special for both of us. It’s widely recognised that all cancer patients need some level of psychological support during their cancer journey, but often that help can be hard to access.”
“The Psycho-Oncology team gives patients easier access to psychological support because we are right there, embedded within the acute medical team. We can respond pretty much immediately based on need, so it helps patients and it helps staff.”
Emma Tingley, Macmillan Head of Partnerships for London, was delighted that two Harrow NHS teams were recognised: “I am incredibly proud of the work the Psycho-Oncology and Sarcoma teams have done to improve patient experience and services. Clare and Suzy’s teams have gone above and beyond to support people living with cancer.”
“The Macmillan Professional Excellence Awards are an annual opportunity to show our appreciation for Macmillan professionals, who work tirelessly to make a real difference for Londoners living with cancer.”
For support, information or a chat, call Macmillan Cancer Support free on 0808 808 00 00 (Monday to Friday, 9am–8pm) or visit macmillan.org.uk.
