Views of specialist head and neck nurses about changes in their role
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Views of specialist head and neck nurses about changes in their role

Julie Hewett Macmillan head and neck clinical nurse specialist (CNS), Torbay Hospital, Torquay and British Association of Head
Elaine Ross Macmillan head and neck CNS, Southern General Hospital, Glasgow and British Association of Head

Survey uncovers concerns that there are too few clinical practitioners in the specialty involved in front line patient care, with many being deployed to wards or to deliver additional training. Julie Hewett and Elaine Ross report

The Cancer Reform Strategy (Department of Health 2007) states that ‘commissioners and providers should ensure that the critical roles of clinical nurse specialists (CNSs) in information delivery, communication and co-ordination of care are supported’. Despite this, CNS roles are increasingly under threat. The British Association of Head and Neck Oncology Nurses conducted a short survey of CNSs in each region to understand better the actual and perceived threats to its members. The results showed that 31 per cent of respondents had been asked to work on the wards and 42 per cent had been asked to perform other managerial duties. The association recommends that strong consideration is given to maintaining and strengthening the CNS workforce.

Cancer Nursing Practice. 11, 2, 34-37. doi: 10.7748/cnp2012.03.11.2.34.c8989

Correspondence

julie.hewett@nhs.net

Peer review

This article has been subject to double blind peer review

Conflict of interest

None declared

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