Introduction of Macmillan Community Thoracic Specialist Nurse to improve patient experience and protect from COVID 19 : South Tees Hospitals FT

The Thoracic Surgical service cares for around 800 patients/ year, serving a population of 1.5million covering North Yorkshire, Teesside and County Durham who undergo thoracic procedures for diagnostic, therapeutic or palliative intent for both benign and malignant disease. We worked closely with Macmillan Cancer Support to introduce a Community Thoracic Specialist Nurse with the aims of actively supporting patients and their families by providing holistic continuity of care throughout the thoracic surgical pathway. By introducing this service we have improved patient experience, reduced length of stay and readmission rates whilst protecting patients during a global pandemic.