Page 14 - Inspire Autumn/Winter Edition 2017

Behind the Stethoscope

In order to improve treatments,
we need to better understand how BEHIND THE
the disease works. And we need to
hear from patients themselves as STETHOSCOPE
we seek to improve their experience.

So the role of a research nurse is a vital part of improving that bank of knowledge.

Amy Kerr is a Senior Thoracic Research Nurse at Heart of England NHS Foundation Trust, where she is project
lead for the Rehabilitation for Operated lung Cancer (ROC) programme. She stresses that she’s just one
member of a large multi-disciplinary team of people dedicated to making life better for people with lung cancer.

The team includes Thoracic Research Nurses Jo Webb and Jo Taylor, Research Fellow Dr Nicola Oswald,
Biomedical Scientist Hollie Bancroft, Research Practitioner Salma Kadiri, Data Manager Zara Jalal and research
lead, Consultant Surgeon Babu Naidu.

Amy and the team recently helped our Information and Support Services team in Glasgow to update our
‘Surgery For Lung Cancer’ booklet. They all contributed to these answers.

How does your research help people who have lung
cancer?

“Our research is all about empowerment. Other diseases
seem to attract a lot more public awareness. We all feel
strongly that people should not be blamed for getting lung
cancer and everything possible should be done to fight it.

“When we ask patients if we can talk to them, most are
very keen to get involved. It’s as if they say, ‘OK, I’ve got this
disease but I’m going to be part of the cure, part of making
a difference’. Often that helps people to feel more positive,
knowing they can take part in studies that will help change
treatments and care in the future.”

In what way did you become involved with Roy Amy Kerr - Senior Thoracic Research Nurse
Castle Lung Cancer Foundation? What is the biggest challenge you face?

“It began with an informal conversation with your “Time. We want to spend more time with our patients.
Information Services Manager, Ollie Scott. We’ve been Often, you’ll end up doing a bit of a counselling job. You
helping him and the team in Glasgow to rewrite the can’t just say to someone, ‘oh, give us a bit of your lung’ –
surgery booklet. It seemed like a good project on which you need to get to know them and listen to them.
to collaborate, because we spend a lot of time talking to It’s something we are incredibly passionate about. “
patients about their experiences before and after surgery.”

What does your work involve? Our Nurse Bursary

“We run a whole load of studies here, some of which
we’ve come up with locally and some which are national We’re offering a £500 bursary for nurses studying
studies or joint collaborations with other centres. towards specialisms in lung cancer. If the course
you are studying is funded by your employer, you
“We’ve also done a lot on getting patients fit for surgery, can use the money for academic support or books.
in order to increase the amount of people who have
curative surgery. We’ve designed an app they can use to For details, contact mike.grundy@roycastle.org
help get fit. It can improve outcomes after surgery in terms or call 0333 323 7200
of length of stay, readmission rates or complications.”

14 Inspire 2017