new.gif){kind=small}
Patient Support
Patients and staff of the Exeter Oesophago-Gastric Cancer Centre have benefited immeasurably from a longstanding relationship with FORCE (Friends of the Oncology and Radiotherapy Centre), pictured right.
The FORCE Cancer support team - professional counsellors, specialist cancer information nurses and complementary therapists - are available to patients and their carers.
The FORCE Cancer Support Centre conveniently located on the RD&E hospital site, offers a relaxed, non-clinical comfortable environment for patients and their relatives to reflect, socialise, chat with trained volunteers, and meet experienced staff to ask questions and discuss their needs. Support services range from complementary therapies and a wig and scarf service to benefits advice and counselling.
The charity also finances improvements in patient care through research and purchase of specialised equipment at the RD&E, such as the Endoluminal Ultrasound, a vital diagnostic tool, and specialised Brachytherapy catheters for excellent palliative treatment.
FORCE contact details
FORCE Cancer Support Centre 01392 406151 (Support Services Manager Robert Oliver) www.forcecancercharity.co.uk
OPA (Oesophageal Patients’ Association)
No one is better qualified to advise about coming to terms and living with oesophago-gastric cancer than the patients themselves.
Friendship & social gatherings are an invaluable part
of support given by patients to patients through the OPA
An RD&E survey of oesophago-gastric cancer patients across the South West confirmed that patients and carers gained more from each other and this prompted the creation of a local OPA support group.
In January 2004, 13 patients and carers met at a local cricket club with Upper GI nurse specialist Keith Mitchell, a cancer service dietitian and a senior endoscopy nurse.
By the end of that meeting it was agreed that a committee be formed, nominations were accepted and Eric Pickard was appointed Chairman of the Exeter, Mid and East Devon Patient and Carers Cancer Support Group (Oesophageal Patients’ Association or OPA).
In the early days the meetings were held in the home of a committee member but now most of them take place at the FORCE Cancer Centre at the RD&E Wonford hospital site.
Mr Pickard explains: “We are a local group, formed to give support to new patients and carers, and encourage them to be positive, and to share our knowledge to help each other. We cover the whole South West peninsula and Keith Mitchell puts new patients in touch with us. Our committee members have visited Mere Ward to talk to a patient about to have surgery, which has been of great comfort to the patient and been appreciated by the Matron.![Photo of Support Group]](../../../images/prof/uppergi/patients/OPA2.jpg)
“Our meetings and events are always well attended and the benefits of being involved are tremendous. We have an excellent relationship with the hospital professionals and patients are always grateful for the input and information. The OPA supports patients with excellent booklets and has funded new equipment.”
The meetings are held the last Friday of the month at the FORCE cancer support centre, in the corner of the hospital grounds.
Twice yearly there is a bigger meeting which is attended by the Chairman and founder of the Oesophageal Patient Association (OPA) David Kirby OBE, pictured right.
Oesophageal Patients’ Association Contact Details
Exeter Oesophago-Gastric Cancer Centre at the Royal Devon & Exeter hospital www.exeteruppergi.org or 01392 411611
For local (Exeter, Mid & East Devon Patient & Carers Cancer Support Group) OPA - contact Keith Mitchell on 01392 402775
National OPA 0121 704 9860 www.opa.org.uk
Other websites: www.cancerbackup.org.uk, www.cancerresearchuk.org, www.cancertrials.org.uk, www.ncrn.org.uk
The RD&E can provide comfortable, quiet accommodation on the hospital site for relatives of patients in the care of the Exeter Oesophago-Gastric Cancer Centre.
The self-contained flats, with disabled access, are newly decorated with shared bathroom, toilet and kitchen facilities and a cleaning service. The current tariff is £19.36 per person per night.