We’re awarded brain cancer centre of excellence status
Our hospital is part of one of six NHS brain cancer centres to be awarded excellence status by the Tessa Jowell Brain Cancer Mission.
The East of England service was recognised for its commitment to equality of access for patients across the region, with Cambridge University Hospitals, Norfolk and Norwich University Hospital and Ipswich Hospital teams working closely together to ensure excellence in treatment and care for all patients no matter where in the region they lived.
With 12,000 people diagnosed with a brain tumour every year in the UK, there has never been a more important time to recognise the efforts of NHS staff committed to developing and improving brain tumour treatment and care.
The initiative is part of the Tessa Jowell Brain Cancer Mission (TJBCM) to ensure every patient has access to excellent care, no matter where they live. With the addition of these six new centres, there are now 17 centres of excellence across the UK.
The NNUH team, which treats around 80 patients a year with brain cancer, was commended for its “exemplary excellence” of clinical service and patient-centred approach.
Dr Pinelopi Gkogkou, Consultant Clinical Oncologist at NNUH, said: “When I started here seven years ago, it was a single-handed service. Now I am proud to be part of an amazing team that has developed an excellent multi-disciplinary approach for our patients and I am delighted that our high-quality holistic care has been recognised.”
The excellence status was made by a panel of experts including Health Care Professionals and Academics which is a tangible way of providing reassurance for patients and their families and carers. Patients can feel confident in knowing that they are going to receive high-quality care throughout their treatment at the Trust as a part of the East Anglia Network.
Pinelopi added: “This achievement acknowledges the hard work and dedication of Norfolk and Norwich Brain team; Dr Caroline Barry, Palliative Medicine Consultant, Dr Jeff Cochius, Consultant Neurologist responsible for Seizure Service, Dr Janak Saada, Neuroradiologist Lead, Dr Andrew Ho, Consultant Clinical Oncologist and Hannah Hendry, Neuro-Oncology CNS and many others.”
Jess Mills, Tessa Jowell’s daughter and TJBCM’s Special Adviser said: “We are one step closer to achieving this incredible ambition of excellence for all. The reason we are moving forward at this fast pace is due to the combined efforts and commitment of the doctors, nurses and support staff in each of the hospitals.”
To be considered for this award, centres implemented specific feedback from the Mission and made a range of service improvements over a period of 18 months. Highlights include better access to biobanking, increased nurse staffing, improved provision of care for low-grade tumour patients, new nurse-led clinics, further specialised neurosurgery services, a quicker turnaround of key diagnostic tests and improved access to rehabilitation services.
The East of England service was recognised for its commitment to equality of access for patients across the region, with CUH, NNUH and East Suffolk and North Essex NHS Foundation Trust teams working closely together to ensure excellence in treatment and care for all patients no matter where in the region they lived.