What do Macmillan nurses do?
Macmillan nurses specialise in cancer and palliative care, providing support and information to people with cancer, and their families, friends and carers, from the point of diagnosis onwards. Macmillan nurses offer the following: • specialised pain and symptom controlemotional support both for the patient and their family and/or carer • give care in a variety of settings – in hospital (both inpatient and outpatient), at home or from a local clinic • provide information about cancer treatments and side effects • offer advice to other members of the caring team, for example district nurses and Marie Curie nurses • co-ordinate care between hospital and the patient’s home • advise on access to other forms of support, including financial help Macmillan nurses do not carry out routine nursing tasks, such as personal hygiene, changing dressings and giving medicines, and do not focus on non-cancer patients. Macmillan nurses usually work normal office hours although this can vary. If you requi