Cancer impacts on many of us, with approximately two million people living with cancer in the UK. Many allied health professionals and nurses regularly contribute to rehabilitation but for the first time they can now access a dedicated module to cancer rehabilitation at Swansea University.
Individuals living with and beyond cancer face an array of challenges and as more people survive cancer treatments, the importance of cancer rehabilitation has become increasingly recognised. To help address this issue, the Welsh Assembly Government has recently published new Cancer Rehabilitation Standards developed by the Cancer Services Coordinating Group.
Swansea University is at the forefront of the latest developments and has developed a Masters course in Cancer Rehabilitation to aid in the training of health and social care staff to meet these demands.
A team from the University’s School of Human and Health Sciences has been working proactively with partner organisations including the Abertawe Bro Morgannwg University Health Board and various voluntary sectors to enhance the provision of cancer rehabilitation.
The short course, developed by the University in collaboration with nurses and allied health professionals, will be led by Swansea Senior Lecturers Dr Deborah Fitzsimmons and Tessa Watts.
Dr Fitzsimmons said:
“With the increase in cancer survival and effective treatments enabling patients to live with a cancer diagnosis, rehabilitation must be considered as priority. This exciting new module will enable practitioners and specialists to update their knowledge base ensuring that patients receive the right treatments at the right time by the right professional.”
Melanie Lewis is a Lead Macmillan Lymphoedema Physiotherapy Specialist at Abertawe Bro Morgannwg Local Health Board and the Cancer Rehabilitation Lead for the South West Wales Cancer Network.
She said:
“With the Welsh Assembly Government National Standards for Rehabilitation of Cancer Patients released, this module will enable practitioners/ specialists and planners to have a greater understanding of the context of Cancer Rehabilitation and how patients could benefit. This module is vitally important for patients as it is recognition that patients do need rehabilitation after a cancer diagnosis to get them back to leading as normal life as possible.”
The first course will run in February 2011. Contact the School of Human and Health Sciences for further information on 01792 518531.
