Cancer Care Report

1 Introduction

In late 1999, Belfast City Hospital Trust contacted the Eastern Health and Social Services Council, to request assistance in organising patient and carer focus groups relating to the new Regional Cancer Centre. Specifically, it was intended that the group discussions would provide patients and carers with opportunities for making suggestions relating to the interior layout of the Cancer Centre.

One focus group, for adult patients (and carers), was subsequently held in each Health and Social Services Council area. The Western, Northern and Southern Health and Social Services Councils assisted with the organisation of the focus groups in their particular areas. In addition, a number of cancer charities assisted in recruiting patients and carers to the focus groups.

The group meetings took place between late-July and mid-August 2000 in Belfast, Newry, Coleraine and Omagh. There were nineteen focus group participants: sixteen patients (one male) and three carers (one female). In addition, an informal discussion relating to adolescents was undertaken by the Project Manager on a ward in Belvoir Park Hospital.

The following section consists of a list of recommendations made by the Eastern Health and Social Services Council, arising out of the issues raised by the focus group participants. In addition, the particular actions which Belfast City Hospital Trust are currently undertaking, or intend to take, in order to address the issues raised, are also specified.

:Front Page : Contents: Introduction : Recommendations :