A brain or spinal tumour can turn people’s lives upside down.
Your Neuro-Oncology Nurse Specialists
Being diagnosed with a brain or spinal tumour can turn people’s lives upside down. It can lead to feelings of isolation and life may seem out of control. Many different problems affect patients in this situation.
The Neuro-Oncology Nurse Specialists are here to offer support and information to you and your relatives from the time when you are first diagnosed with a brain or spinal tumour. We work as part of a team, working closely with your Oncology Consultant and/or your Neurosurgeon.
Our contact details are:
Lianne O’Malley Clinical Nurse Specialist for Neuro-Oncology
Call Monday to Friday on:
Gill Boyer Clinical Nurse Specialist for Neuro-Oncology
Call Monday to Friday on:
We are based at St James’s Institute of Oncology, Bexley Wing and also the Neurosurgical Department at Leeds General Infirmary on Wednesdays.
There is an answerphone service for messages which are checked daily and we will always return your call, though this may not always be the same day. Please leave your name and telephone number.
Please do not leave urgent messages on the answerphone. If you need urgent advice please contact your GP.
How we may help you
- Provide ongoing advice and information on primary brain and spinal tumours.
- Advice and information about radiotherapy and chemotherapy and their side-effects.
- Advice and information on other aspects such as seizures, fatigue, travel insurance, wig information, financial concerns etc.
- We review patients in a nurse led clinic whilst you are having radiotherapy, liaising with your consultant as required.
- Providing continuing support for you and your family during and after treatment acting as your key-worker (see information overleaf).
- We work closely with other health care professionals involved in your care and/or treatment referring you to their service when required.
- We run a support group based at the Sir Robert Ogden Macmillan Centre at St James’s Hospital.
Key-worker
As your key-worker we are a main point of contact for you during and after your treatment for information, advice and support. We also communicate with other healthcare professionals involved with your care, informing them and updating them on any relevant changes.
If at any point during your treatment or after we feel that a member of your local community team is more appropriate to be your key-worker then we will discuss this with you. It is not unusual for your key-worker to change throughout your care pathway, this depends on your individual basis. Your GP, District Nurse or Community Macmillan Nurse may become your key-worker in the future.
Your key-worker name and contact number
Please note: Your key-worker is not an emergency contact