Community nurses
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provide nursing care and practical advice to patients in the home
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usually based in local clinics, in the community
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types of nursing covered include Health Visitors, District Nurses, Practice Nurses and Community Psychiatric Nurses.
Marie Curie nurses
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specialist cancer nurses who provide practical nursing care in the home, usually for people with advanced cancer
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can give care day or night
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there are also hospices staffed by Marie Curie nurses.
Palliative care nurses
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specialists in providing care for people whose illness is no longer curable, to improve their quality of life
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services may include family support and bereavement support.
Depending on your needs, you may have access to more than one of these nurses at the same time. These may change throughout your cancer journey, to provide the best skills at each stage to meet your needs. Your doctor or district nurse will be able to advise you on what sorts of nursing care are most appropriate for you.
How to find other types of nurse
Marie Curie nurses
Tel: 0800 716 146
Email: nursingservices@mariecurie.org.uk
Website: www.mariecurie.org.uk
Marie Curie nurses are community cancer nurses providing hands on, around the clock nursing care. They are primarily aimed at late-stage cancer patients who want to stay at home rather than go into a hospital or hospice. Marie Curie nurses provide care free of charge.
For more information go to www.mariecurie.org.uk then to 'For Healthcare Professionals' then to the link 'Accessing the services'.
Referrals
You can be referred to a Marie Curie nurse by a district nurse or your GP.
Community nurses
Community nurses travel around their local area giving care to people in their own homes. They can help with pain and symptom control, give medication, and provide advice on issues to do with daily life, such as diet. Community nurses also provide emotional and practical support for families and carers.
Referrals
Your GP can refer you to the community nursing team, who will work with your other health professionals to devise a care plan.
National Helplines staffed by nurses
The following Helplines are staffed by cancer nurses, who can answer questions of a medical nature and give advice and emotional support:
Cancerbackup
Tel: 0808 800 1234 (Mon to Fri 9am-8pm)
Cancerbackup give information and advice on any type of cancer.
Tenovus Cancer Information Service
Tel: 0808 808 1010 (Mon to Fri 9am-4.30pm. Welsh language available)
A general information and advice service for any type of cancer.
Ulster Cancer Foundation Information Service (Northern Ireland)
Tel: 0800 783 3339 (Mon to Fri 9am-5pm)
Helpline for patients, relatives, members of the public and health professionals providing information on all aspects of cancer and emotional support.
Breast Cancer Care
Tel: 0808 800 6000 (Mon to Fri 9am-5pm, Sat 10am-2pm. Language Line available)
Information, advice and support for those affected by breast cancer.
Colon Cancer Concern
Tel: 0870 850 6050 (Mon to Fri 10am-4pm)
Helpline supporting people with colorectal cancer, their families, friends and carers.
Mesothelioma UK
Tel: 0800 169 2409 (Mon to Fri 9am–4pm)
A patient-focused, disease-specific Macmillan resource and information centre based within the University Hospitals of Leicester.
Prostate Cancer Charity
Tel: 0845 300 8383 (Mon to Fri 10am-4pm, Wed 7pm-9pm)
Provides information, advice and support for anyone affected by prostate cancer.