Breast Cancer Clinical Nurse Specialist and Support Team

Breast Cancer Clinical Nurse Specialist and Support Team

The Clinical Nurse Specialist (CNS) Team

The Breast Care Clinical Nurse Specialists are experts in breast cancer care; we work as part of the Cancer Support Team. We can answer your questions and give you information about your diagnosis, treatment, and support available during and after your care.

Cancer Support Worker (CSW)

The Cancer Support Team also has Support Workers. They are trained to provide support and information about physical, emotional, and practical concerns to help you self-manage your recovery and return to a healthy a lifestyle as soon as possible.

Personalised Care and Support Planning (PCSP)

Personalised Care and Support Planning is a conversation and assessment you will be offered with your Clinical Nurse Specialist and/or Cancer Support Worker, to help discuss your health and wellbeing in relation to your cancer. It will assess your individual needs and concerns, to understand what matters to you.

Personalised Care and Support Planning includes sharing information with you about diet, physical activity, fatigue, and other practical information relevant to you. This may include anything from emotional support to signposting you to local support services, such as benefits advice.

Making decisions about your healthcare

At NBT we encourage you to be a partner in your healthcare.

When patients work with healthcare professionals to make decisions about their healthcare plan and treatment, this is called shared decision making. Shared decision making ensures that you are supported to make decisions that are right for you. This means supporting you to choose tests and treatments based on medical evidence, as well as your individual preferences, beliefs, and values.

It can be helpful to write down questions you have for your healthcare team. You should bring these, and a pen and paper to make any notes when you have appointments.

Some questions that may be helpful to ask:

• What are my options?
• What are the possible benefits and risks of those options? 
• What support and information is available to help me make my decisions?

Shared decision making matters to us. Tell us what matters to you.

NGS Macmillan Wellbeing Centre

We offer help and information about different kinds of cancers and treatments.

We also talk about money, benefits you might get, what to eat, and exercises to do. If you have concerns or just want to talk with one of the team, we have time to listen and help you.

The centre offers ‘drop-ins’ for coffee and a chat or appointments for specific needs.

Opening times: Monday to Friday, 08:30 - 16:15

Phone number:  0117 414 7051

Cancer Information Session

As part of your routine care you may be invited to a group education and support session at or soon after the time of a cancer diagnosis.

The session provides:

• Information about cancer and related topics that help you participate in your care and recovery.
• The opportunity to meet other people with similar experiences.
• Help to enable you to make choices best suited to you.

Venue: NGS Macmillan Wellbeing Centre, Southmead Hospital.

Days and times: Mondays 13:30 - 14:30, Thursdays 10:00 - 11:00

Useful contact information

© North Bristol NHS Trust. This edition published May 2024. Review due May 2027. NBT003202.