Neuro-Oncology Clinical Nurse Specialist Team
The Neuro-Oncology Clinical Nurse Specialists are experts in 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 the 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 provide 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 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 could include anything from emotional support to directing 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 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 might 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 decision?
Shared decision 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
Useful contact information
Contact numbers
Please do not hesitate to contact any of the following numbers if you have any further questions or concerns about any aspect of your care not covered here. We are here to help:
In an emergency
Call 999 and go to your nearest accident and emergency department.
Clinical Nurse Specialists
- Bea Coghlan (Lead CNS)
- Kirsty Reeve (CNS)
- Kat Russell (CNS)
- Eleanor Shone (CNS)
- Garry Pearce (Support Worker)
Monday to Friday, 08:00 to 15:30 (excluding bank holidays)
Use this number for questions about your condition, to report changes in symptoms, and advice on medication.
Consultant Secretaries
- Mr Iyer and Mr Charalambides: 0117 414 7346
- Mr Barua and Mr Malcolm: 0117 414 6703
Use this number for clinic appointments, administrative questions including copy clinic letters, DVLA queries, and insurance queries etc.
Waiting list coordinators
Use these numbers for querying dates for surgery, pre-op appointments, and MRI scans.
0117 414 8014 or 0117 414 6712
Monday to Friday, 08:00 to 16:00.
Wards
Medi-Rooms level 2: 0117 414 8025/0117 414 8026/0117 414 8027/0117 414 8028
Brain Tumour Support Charity
They can help with:
- Emotional support.
- Family support and guidance.
- Practical support and next steps.
- Counselling for you and loved ones.
- DVLA/blue badge information
- Support groups.
- Employment support.
- Finance and benefits guidance.
© North Bristol NHS Trust. This edition published October 2024. Review due October 2027. NBT003712
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.