Emer O'Kelly-Lynch, oncology liaison nurse, South Infirmary Victoria Hospital, Cork, supports newly diagnosed people in any way she can
As oncology liaison nurse, my job is to help people who have been newly diagnosed with cancer to get through their treatment and the psychological challenges they face. I liaise with the patient, family, consultant and other health professionals.
I talk the patient through what happens during their treatment plus the possible side effects and prepare them emotionally and physically for coming in.
It's a nine-to-five day but I've no typical schedule. I move between the chemotherapy day centre and the hospital. I'd visit day patients and those coming into the wards. My responsibilities include co-ordinating appointments and referrals to other services. Some patients might get re-admitted under their original consultant and we'd relay messages between the consultants, for example.
An important part of my work is to follow up everyone on the ward before they go home. I would attend all the oncology clinics that take place and meet all the patients there. I give them my number so they can ring me. I'm also contactable by bleep all day. A big part of the job is being a contact for people at home. When they ring in with any queries, they at least have a name to ask for.
Sometimes they just want to talk but more often they have specific queries which I would follow up on and get back to them. Anyone who's admitted with problems from treatment I'd also follow up on. I spend a lot of time on the phone - it's important the patients know I'm here.
Our oncologist visits us here and holds clinics twice a week. He's the oncologist for the three main hospitals in Cork.
I've been working in Cork since January 2003. I did my general nursing training at University College Hospital Galway, graduating in 1987, and have been working in oncology since 1996. Four years ago I did a higher diploma in oncology nursing at UCHG.
I report to the divisional nurse manager on the surgical side. The Irish Cancer Society provided the funding for the past three years. It's up next January but it's expected that the hospital will continue it.
If there's no clinic I'd see eight or nine patients but if it's a day of clinics it could be up to 18 or 19 in the clinic alone. Last year I saw over 200 newly diagnosed patients in addition to existing patients. Sometimes we'd refer them to other hospitals for radiotherapy or to a haematologist, for example.
Other referrals are to gynaecologists, oncologists and breast specialists. We'd refer patients who come back to oncology to other areas including agencies, dieticians, social workers and cancer support services.
Some days are difficult. The worst part of the job is telling people the bad news. Initially it sounds like a death sentence. Other days are better. You can see people coming through their treatment. It gives us a great boost to see them getting well. The majority of people do well. It's a pity that in our daily lives we tend to hear more about people not doing well and little about those who do.
Last year the Irish Cancer Society raised €3.1 million from its Daffodil Day campaign. Of this fund, €850,000 has gone towards the employment of 20 hospital- based cancer liaison nurses who work in major cancer treatment hospitals across the country and three more of these nurses will be employed in 2005. The National Cancer Helpline is: 1800 200 700, Monday to Friday, 9am to 5pm.