World Cancer Day 2020: Pathway Navigators at The Royal Oldham help support patients living with cancer

It’s World Cancer Day on 4th February and The Royal Oldham Hospital is marking this important awareness day by highlighting the range of information, support and advice available to patients, should they ever find themselves in the unenviable position of facing a potential cancer diagnosis.

World Cancer Day takes place every 4th February and is a global initiative led by the Union for International Cancer Control (UICC).

The aim behind the campaign is to raise worldwide awareness of cancer and improve education. The campaign encourages everyone to take collective action to tackle preventable cancer deaths and improve access for everyone to life-saving cancer treatment.

This year's World Cancer Day’s theme, 'I Am and I Will', is all about you and your commitment to act. We’re all being asked to make a pledge to take action and work together to help reduce the number of premature deaths from cancer by one third by 2030.

Advice and support from Maggie’s Oldham, Macmillan and Ward F11 Haematology Team

To mark this important awareness day, the Maggie’s Centre Team, Macmillan and our F11 haematology ward team at The Royal Oldham Hospital will all be available to speak to patients about the range of advice, information and support they can provide should you or a family member be in the position of having to deal with a cancer diagnosis.

Pathway Navigators – Support for patients throughout their patient journey

One of the other ways that The Northern Care Alliance Group is supporting patients who may be facing a potential cancer diagnosis is with the introduction of Pathway Navigators across the Northern Care Alliance (NCA) Group’s hospital sites in Oldham, Bury, Rochdale and North Manchester.

Patients who have been referred by their GP under the ‘two week wait’ to come to hospital to undergo checks for a potential cancer diagnosis usually receive an appointment at the soonest opportunity. This process may involve a number of tests and investigations to identify the cause of any symptoms and determine if it’s a cancer diagnosis.

The NCA has introduced Pathway Navigators to support patients throughout the entire process from referral, to diagnosis and treatment, to ensure that things run as smoothly as possible.

Cathrine Stanley, Pathway Navigator Team Leader, explains: “Pathway Navigators will review the appointments, investigations and discussions that make up your ‘pathway’ as part of a multi-disciplinary team.

"They will talk you through any queries about things like scans, tests, appointments and are on hand to discuss any non-clinical concerns you may have.

“From referral through to results and treatment, your Navigator can provide advice, guidance and signpost you to other services such as transportation or interpreter services.

"Their main role is to act as an advocate and key contact for you throughout your hospital journey and support your practical and emotional needs. Our Navigators are usually available between 8am – 4pm, Monday to Friday.” 

Receiving a cancer diagnosis can be a life-changing event. However, patients can be assured that a wealth of advice and support is available to help support you throughout the process.

If you would like to find out more about the range of support you can expect from one of our Pathway Navigators across the Northern Care Alliance, please contact the team on 0161 778 5895.

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