Mansfield psychology service win Macmillan award for work with cancer patients

The psychology team, based at King's Mill Hospital, were presented the Integration Excellence award award by journalist Victoria Derbyshire, at the prestigious 2018 Macmillan Excellence Awards in Birmingham.
The psychology team, based at King's Mill Hospital, were presented the Integration Excellence award award by journalist Victoria DerbyshireThe psychology team, based at King's Mill Hospital, were presented the Integration Excellence award award by journalist Victoria Derbyshire
The psychology team, based at King's Mill Hospital, were presented the Integration Excellence award award by journalist Victoria Derbyshire

The awards aim to celebrate the outstanding work carried out by Macmillan health and social care professionals across the country.

The team, based at Sherwood Forest Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust and Nottinghamshire Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust, were nominated for the Integration Excellence award fordeveloping exciting new initiatives, products and services.

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Clinical Psychologist Dr Jo Levene said: "“Cancer is a bit like a bomb dropping on someone.“It ricochets out to all aspects of their lives.

The psychology team, based at King's Mill Hospital, were presented the Integration Excellence award award by journalist Victoria DerbyshireThe psychology team, based at King's Mill Hospital, were presented the Integration Excellence award award by journalist Victoria Derbyshire
The psychology team, based at King's Mill Hospital, were presented the Integration Excellence award award by journalist Victoria Derbyshire

"Even if someone has curative treatment, they might feel quite changed by that experience and wonder how they can move forward.

"We can help.”

Macmillan Clinical Psychologist Dr Sanchia Biswas said: "“One of the biggest things for a patient is having a person outside of their family who theycan talk to.

“We’re a safe space, and we can help people to understand why they’re feeling the way they’re feeling.”

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This category’s winners have all improved the quality and experience of care for people living with cancer.The Clinical Psychology Cancer Service has integrated excellent psychological support across all cancer teams at King’s Mill Hospital.

They have helped people affected by cancer to manage their emotional difficulties including symptoms of depression,anxiety and post-traumatic stress disorder.The team have built strong working relationships with multidisciplinary cancer teams and local commissioners to successfully embed psychological provision within a physical healthfocused environment.

The team have also set up a public self-help website that’s packed with useful resources covering everything from managing anxiety to body image for anybody affected by cancer.

They also established a text support relapse prevention package called ‘Flo’ to help patients monitor and self-manage emotional difficulties outside of service hours and set up a community mindfulness group co-run by patients.

For support, information or if you have any questions, call Macmillan Cancer Support free on 0808 808 00 00 (Monday to Friday, 9am–8pm) or visit macmillan.org.uk.