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The new team of clinical nurse specialists (CNSs) and advanced nurse practitioners (ANPs) can manage every part of a patient’s prostate cancer diagnostic journey – from the suspected cancer referral right through to diagnosis.
The initiative, which was introduced in January 2024 and operates out of Barnet Hospital, Chase Farm Hospital and the Royal Free Hospital, has seen the team of nine expand their skillset to take on work previously performed by a surgical consultant.
The team have since seen their performance more than double in efficiency; now almost 80% of patients are being diagnosed within 28 days of their referral, in line with NHS England’s Faster Diagnostic Standard target.
Kal Kaur, urology nurse consultant, leads the team of nurses and said: “There has been a real transformation in the service. This chapter of a patient's life can be hugely distressing and the diagnostic process is sensitive. The nurse-led initiative means we can provide a supportive, efficient and enhanced standard of care to help patients through this stressful period and build relationships with them.”
The nurses have completed substantial training to learn the skills they need, which can take between six months and a year to complete.
CNSs within the team triage patients after their referral, request imaging and investigations, interpret MRI scans for signs of cancer, and counsel patients for further investigations if needed.
Xyza Basa was the first prostate CNS in the service. She said: “When I started in 2018, I was the only prostate CNS and now there are eight in the service. I learned everything directly from the urology consultants. It was very difficult but very satisfying – I've benefitted from it and am fully independent now. I’m very confident in my work.”
The ANPs perform the prostate biopsies, where a small piece of tissue is removed to check for cancer, and give patients their results. They also advise on cancer treatment options for patients.
Brett Dawson, urology ANP, said: “Before this role, I’d never performed a biopsy. I’ve now completed nearly 300 in my first year here. These are the types of opportunities we have – we see a lot of patients and are in a great position to gain experience and contribute to research. There is a high level of autonomy for urology nurses in this service that no other service in the country is doing, as far as we’re aware.”
The prostate cancer diagnostic service at the Royal Free London receives around 200 suspected cancer referrals each month, just under half of all referrals in north central London.
This month (March) marks Prostate Cancer Awareness Month. Around one in eight men are diagnosed with prostate cancer each year, making it the most common type of cancer for men.
If you are concerned about prostate cancer, a prostate-specific antigen (PSA) blood test can help detect any early signs. Men who are over 50, Black or have a family history of prostate cancer are advised to see their GP and request a PSA test.
Brett said: “Patients can initially feel embarrassed about the investigations but soon say we put them at ease and they are glad they came forward. Men don’t need to die from prostate cancer – it's about catching it early.”
A new nurse-led model for the prostate cancer diagnostic service has transformed its cancer care, delivering faster turnaround times for more patients waiting to hear if they have the condition.
The new team of clinical nurse specialists (CNSs) and advanced nurse practitioners (ANPs) can manage every part of a patient’s prostate cancer diagnostic journey – from the suspected cancer referral right through to diagnosis.
The initiative, which was introduced in January 2024 and operates out of Barnet Hospital, Chase Farm Hospital and the Royal Free Hospital, has seen the team of nine expand their skillset to take on work previously performed by a surgical consultant.
The team have since seen their performance more than double in efficiency; now almost 80% of patients are being diagnosed within 28 days of their referral, in line with NHS England’s Faster Diagnostic Standard target.
Kal Kaur, urology nurse consultant, leads the team of nurses and said: “There has been a real transformation in the service. This chapter of a patient's life can be hugely distressing and the diagnostic process is sensitive. The nurse-led initiative means we can provide a supportive, efficient and enhanced standard of care to help patients through this stressful period and build relationships with them.”
The nurses have completed substantial training to learn the skills they need, which can take between six months and a year to complete.
CNSs within the team triage patients after their referral, request imaging and investigations, interpret MRI scans for signs of cancer, and counsel patients for further investigations if needed.
Xyza Basa was the first prostate CNS in the service. She said: “When I started in 2018, I was the only prostate CNS and now there are eight in the service. I learned everything directly from the urology consultants. It was very difficult but very satisfying – I've benefitted from it and am fully independent now. I’m very confident in my work.”
The ANPs perform the prostate biopsies, where a small piece of tissue is removed to check for cancer, and give patients their results. They also advise on cancer treatment options for patients.
Brett Dawson, urology ANP, said: “Before this role, I’d never performed a biopsy. I’ve now completed nearly 300 in my first year here. These are the types of opportunities we have – we see a lot of patients and are in a great position to gain experience and contribute to research. There is a high level of autonomy for urology nurses in this service that no other service in the country is doing, as far as we’re aware.”
The prostate cancer diagnostic service at the Royal Free London receives around 200 suspected cancer referrals each month, just under half of all referrals in north central London.
This month (March) marks Prostate Cancer Awareness Month. Around one in eight men are diagnosed with prostate cancer each year, making it the most common type of cancer for men.
If you are concerned about prostate cancer, a prostate-specific antigen (PSA) blood test can help detect any early signs. Men who are over 50, Black or have a family history of prostate cancer are advised to see their GP and request a PSA test.
Brett said: “Patients can initially feel embarrassed about the investigations but soon say we put them at ease and they are glad they came forward. Men don’t need to die from prostate cancer – it's about catching it early.”
