Living with and Beyond Cancer (LWBC) – personalised care and support team information

Patient Information Leaflet

Introduction

This leaflet is for people who are living with cancer and who may need support from the Living with and Beyond Cancer (LWBC) team. The team comprises of two clinical nurse specialists and a cancer care coordinator, and you can contact the team at any time of your cancer pathway. The LWBC team can help you identify if you require any further support by completing a Holistic Needs Assessment. The LWBC team are based at Russells Hall Hospital and underpin the work of your clinical teams. You can receive support from both your clinical team and the LWBC team.

Holistic Needs Assessment (HNA)

A Holistic Needs Assessment (HNA) is a tool used to consider what matters to you as an individual, your priorities and your life choices. It can help health professionals identify any issues or concerns you may have, and ensure that you are provided with the appropriate information or signposted/referred to appropriate support and agencies.
You will be offered a HNA within the first ten days of your diagnosis.

The process may be completed with your clinical nurse specialist (CNS) or key worker, or with a member of the LWBC team. An HNA can be done at any point during your treatment as circumstances can change. It is also useful to complete a HNA once hospital-based treatments end, to establish whether any community support is needed. Carers also play a vital role in supporting people with cancer, and it is important that their needs for information, advice and support are
addressed. Addressing all of these needs is central to the National Cancer Survivorship Initiative (NCSI) and Person Centred Care Interventions so patients and families feel supported to enable them to lead as normal a life as possible.

The LWBC team will be happy to discuss any concerns with you, send out information or signpost/refer you to other services as appropriate.
They can be contacted on 01384 456111 ext. 5315 or by email at dgft.lwbcteam@nhs.net

Can I find out more?

If you have any further questions, you can contact your clinical nurse specialist on one of the following numbers or the LWBC team.
Dial 01384 456111 plus one of the following extension numbers:

(9am to 5pm, Monday to Friday, unless otherwise stated).
All are based at Russells Hall Hospital.

Who is your clinical nurse specialist (CNS)?

As part of your care, you will be assigned a clinical nurse specialist (CNS). A CNS is a nurse who has a more specialist knowledge in your type of cancer. They will often meet you at your early appointments or follow up with a telephone call. Sometimes referred to as a specialist sister or key worker, they are your first point of contact with any clinical questions.

References

Office for Public Management (2011) Evaluation of Health and
Wellbeing Clinics. Final Report. Macmillan Cancer Support.

If you have any questions, or if there is anything you do not understand about this leaflet, please speak to one of our nurses. If you need help when you return home, please contact your GP.
If you have any feedback on this patient information leaflet, please email dgft.patient.information@nhs.net
This leaflet can be made available in large print, audio version and in other languages, please call 0800 073 0510.

Originator: Tracy Beese, Nicola J Perks. Date reviewed: October 2025. Review date: July 2028. Version: 2. DGH ref: DGH/PIL/02144