Gynaecological Cancer Nurse Specialists

The Gynaecological Cancer Nurses

We are Clinical Nurse Specialists experienced in the care of individuals who are undergoing investigations for suspected gynaecological cancers or those who have been diagnosed.

We understand that waiting for test results and appointments can be a worrying time and we are available to help support you from the moment of referral, until you are either discharged from our service or your care has been taken over by the Gynaecological Cancer Team at St Michael’s Hospital, UHBW.

We are here to answer queries or concerns, and provide support and information to you, your family, and carers. We are part of a multidisciplinary team and there will be several different people involved in your care. We act as a ‘link’ to improve communication between them, you, and the wider cancer team.

We aim to:

Meet you and your family during hospital appointments when possible, and provide advice and support.
Visit you on the ward if you are an inpatient.
Answer any questions you have about your illness, the tests you may need, and discuss treatment plans for you.
Provide phone, email, and face-to-face support.
Refer you to other services for support.
Liaise with community healthcare teams away from the hospital, such as district nurses, GPs, etc.
Make sure you understand what is happening at each stage of the investigation and/or treatment pathway.
Support you with concerns about cancer and treatment, symptoms and side effects.

Service availability

Monday to Friday (excluding bank holidays): 08:00 - 17:00

07899 011805

GynaeoncCNS@nbt.nhs.uk

If there is no answer, please leave us a message with your full name and hospital number if available. If we are in clinic or meetings, there may be a delay in returning your call. We aim to call you back as soon as possible. We do not have a weekend or bank holiday service.

Please note: this is not an emergency line. If your enquiry is urgent, you can contact 111 or your GP. If your enquiry is an emergency you should call 999.

Out of hours

If you are a patient already know to Southmead Gynaecology Department and are under investigation or have a confirmed cancer and are concerned about your symptoms, please call Cotswold Ward on 0117 414 6785.

If you have already had treatment at St Michael’s or are already known to the team please call UHBW CNS Team on 0117 342 5177 or Ward 78 on 0117 342 5278.

If you are currently having chemotherapy/radiotherapy treatment at BHOC please call the 24 hour Acute Oncology line on 0117 342 2011.

Personalised Care and Support Planning (PCSP)

This helps people living with cancer to have a say in how their care is planned and given. This means making sure the care matches what’s important to them.

This includes:

Having conversations to identify your concerns.
Developing a Personalised Care and Support Plan.
Sharing information about diet, physical activity, fatigue, practical information, emotional support, etc.
Directing you to local support services such as benefits.

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 makes sure 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 decisions making matters to us. Tell us what matters to you.

NGS Macmillan Wellbeing Centre

We give 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 any 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

Support your local hospital charity

Find out about what we do and how you can support us.

Macmillan Wellbeing Centre Useful Links

Useful links to partner websites such as Macmillan Cancer Support, Cancer Research UK, and Penny Brohn.

Macmillan Wellbeing Centre

The NGS Macmillan Wellbeing Centre, at Southmead Hospital, offers support and information to anyone affected by cancer. Whether you are someone who has just been diagnosed; in the middle of, or finished treatment, or a friend, family member or carer of someone with cancer.