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Consultant Paediatric Oncologist / Haematologist
The Senior Doctor who will be responsible for all the major decisions which need to be taken about your child and his or her treatment. This is the person with whom you should discuss important issues about your child’s condition and treatment plan.
Associate Specialist
This is a Senior Doctor who works in the ward or clinic on a permanent basis.
Registrars and Senior House Officers
These Doctors will be involved in the day to day care of your child when he or she is in hospital. Most of the tests and treatment are done by these Doctors under the supervision of the Consultants. These Doctors may still be training and move from one ward to another, so you may meet several of them during the course if your child’s treatment.
The Nurses
The Nurses are there to take care of your child in hospital, will administer all the drugs they need and advise you on how to care for your child at home after hospital visits. The Sister or Charge Nurse is in charge of the ward and Staff Nurses and Student Nurses work under their direction. All the Nurses on the oncology ward have had special training and the handling and administration of chemotherapy is their particular responsibility. They are also skilled at dealing with the side effects, especially anti-sickness drugs.
Outreach Nurses
You may have an Outreach Nurse who will support you as you care for your child at home, particularly if you live quite a distance from the hospital. The Outreach Nurses will visit your GP and your child’s school with you to explain your child’s condition and treatment to the teaching staff and may also arrange to meet with your local Community Nurse.
Social Workers
Social Workers help with practical, social, emotional and financial problems families may face. These range from offering advice about benefit entitlements, to liaising with medical staff on your behalf. CLIC Sargent provides funding for Social Workers who care specifically for children with cancer and their families.
Pharmacists
The Pharmacist is responsible for checking, preparing and dispensing the drugs your child receives and providing advice on all drug issues.
Play Therapists
Play Therapists are trained to help children cope with the experience of being ill and in hospital by using play. There will often be a playroom on the ward, which helps children to forget their fears through painting, drawing and playing. Children can also be provided with play therapy in their cubicle or bed if they are unable to go to the playroom.
Psychologist
A Psychologist may be able to help children who have difficulties with behaviour or learning during their treatment. They can also help the whole family to deal with the stress of the illness and treatment.
Hospital School Teachers
During your child’s time in hospital, it is important that he or she does not fall too far behind with school work. The Hospital School Teacher will work with your child’s own school and will visit the ward to work with your child on a one-to-one basis to catch up on the school work he or she may be missing. If your child is at home and off school, the Hospital Teacher may be able to visit you at home.
Dietician
Dieticians look after the nutritional needs of your child during treatment. If you are worried about your child losing or gaining excessive weight, then a discussion with the Dietician may give you ideas on different foods to try with your child. They can also advise on other forms of nutrition, such as high energy supplements, through a naso-gastric feeding tubes.
Dentists
There will usually be dentists based in the hospital who will check your child’s teeth while he or she is receiving treatment. The Dentist will take particular care to check your child’s teeth before embarking on treatment to ensure that there is little or no decay. Areas of decay are a source of infection when your child has low blood counts.
Consultant Radiotherapist (sometimes known as Consultant Clinical Oncologist)
Radiotherapists are Doctors who specialise in radiation treatment. Your child’s radiotherapy treatment will be planned by the Consultant and given by a team of Radiographers.
Your Own GP
Throughout your treatment, you will have little formal contact with your own GP as any queries about your child’s treatment should normally be directed to your main treatment centre. However, the discharge notes provided by the hospital after each stay will keep your GP up-to-date with your child’s treatment in case you do need to seek help from him or her.
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