A personal nurse is selected at the start of the service, according to the specific medical condition. This same nurse is available by telephone on a long-term basis. Most importantly, the nurse has plenty of time to listen. Ways they can help are many and varied, including:
- Long-term emotional support
- Help in understanding the condition and all its implications
- Explanation of options for treatment
- Suggestions for coping strategies
- Help to prepare for consultants’ appointments
- Explanation of medical terms in simple everyday language
- Help for families to cope with consequences of illness
- Ensuring best use is made of mainstream services, such as the NHS, specialist charities and social services
- Sign-posting to self-help groups – local and national charities
- Clinical review and provision of a range of resources, including factsheets, books, CDs and DVDs
- Sourcing suitable equipment & medical aids
- And lots more…
A wide variety of additional external services may also be provided, for example an assessed course of counselling, therapy, second medical opinion, specialist nurse services and practical help at home.
