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The Role of the Colorectal Nurse Specialist

• There are two colorectal nurse specialists in the trust, based at the DRI but working across sites.
• Their role is primarily to provide information, support and counselling to all colorectal cancer patients from diagnosis, throughout their journey into adjuvant treatment and/or follow up.
• They liase with surgery, medicine and oncology to facilitate a timely journey for patients welfare and to meet government targets on treatment times.
• The weekly multidisciplinary team meeting is prepared and co coordinated by them, ensuring treatment decisions are acted upon.
• They are a constant support to patients via answer phone, bleep and e-mail. All surgical follow up of colorectal cancer patients is done by them, instigating surveillance investigations and communication with GP's.
• They also provide support and take referrals from other healthcare professionals of all disciplines and levels.
• Teaching is a regular committeement.
• We also have a nurse endoscopist who provides weekly flexible sigmoidoscopies.
• She is also skilled in colonoscopy and offers teaching.