New leader for cancer carers (From Swindon Advertiser)

New leader for cancer carers

7:30pm Wednesday 18th July 2012 in News

MACMILLAN Cancer Support and Thames Valley Cancer Network have joined together to appoint Karen Sobey Hudson as the new Macmillan Allied Health Professionals Lead for the cancer network.

Allied Health Professionals include physiotherapists, occupational therapists, dieticians and speech and language therapists.

Karen will be working with colleagues across Swindon, Berkshire, Buckinghamshire and Oxfordshire to improve the way in which people are supported in their rehabilitation and recovery from cancer.

Karen started her role in April 2012. She has a background in Speech and Language Therapy and has worked with Allied Health Professionals on a number of projects at the Strategic Health Authority NHS London for the past two years.

These include as a part of the team which, with the National Cancer Action Team, developed the Cancer Care QIPP Toolkit which provides evidence to show how Allied Health Professionals improve patient care and save the NHS money.

Karen said: “The diagnosis and treatment of cancer has improved significantly in recent years. However, we know from talking to patients and their carers that work is still needed to provide specialist support from dieticians, physiotherapists and occupational therapists during treatment and after treatment has finished.

“The aim of my role is to ensure that people receive this support , so that they are able to enjoy the best possible quality of life.”

Christine Refaussé, Macmillan development manager, said, “We are delighted to have worked in partnership with Thames Valley Cancer Network to appoint Karen to this new role.”

If you have questions about cancer, or to find out more about how you can support Macmillan, visit www.macmillan.org.uk or call 0808 808 0000.