International award for palliative care teams

Macmillan nurses from across the Norfolk and Waveney Cancer Network have received international recognition for their team approach to education and training.

They won second place in the Development category of the 2006 International Palliative Care Awards, which were presented at the Savoy Hotel on 24 March.

The palliative care teams – from the Norfolk and Norwich University Hospital, the Central Norfolk specialist service and the Great Yarmouth and Waveney area – work together to provide education and training for several hundred nurses, medical staff and allied health professionals each year.

These workshops, study days and conferences enable health professionals to share best practice and learn good communication skills for dealing with terminally ill patients and their families.

Research has shown that the patient's experience can be greatly improved when staff are trained in palliative care skills.

Jessica Corner, professor of cancer and palliative care at the University of Southampton, praised the teams for their collaborative approach and said their efforts would support good practice for many more people than those who come into contact with the (limited) specialist services.

David Smith, specialist palliative care nurse at the Norfolk and Norwich University Hospital, commented: “We are delighted that our education programme has been recognised in this way.

“Education is a high priority for us because we can influence the care given to a larger number of people. We know that good symptom control, communication skills and emotional support can make a huge difference for patients.”