Cancer charity calls for more children's community nurses

Children and young people with cancer are spending more time in hospital than they need to due to a lack of children's community nurses and social workers, according to charity CLIC Sargent.

Photograph: iStockphoto/Brad Killer

Nearly half of the families who have spoken to CLIC Sargent feel that they do not get the support that they need at home.

Parents are feeling isolated, frightened and unable to cope when they child returns home.

As a result they are saying that their child is remaining longer in hospital than is necessary or ending up back in hospital for minor treatment unnecessarily.

The survey included a total of 460 service users from across the UK.

The charity is calling for improvements in community-based care and support in England, so that all children and young people with cancer can have safe and quality treatment at home, or as near to home as possible.

97% of children and young people with cancer want to be able to go home during treatment in order that they can live a ‘normal’ life, continue with their education and spend time with their friends and family.

neil.durham@haymarket.com

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