Clinical Nurse Specialist Acute Haematology Oncology

The Acute Haematology Oncology Nursing Service (AHOS) focuses on the management and treatment of patients who present acutely with cancer treatment side-effects or as an emergency complication from a known cancer diagnosis.

This service was set up following the National Action Plan 2020 published by the DOH in response to COVID 19 which emphasised the need to maintain critical and ongoing services.

The NCCP advocated and secured funding for clinical nurse specialist posts in all of the 26 Systemic Anti- Cancer Therapy (SACT) hospitals to safeguard patients and minimise where possible their attendance to ED and their requirement for admission to hospital. The post holder will collaborate and liaise with the NCCP on strategic goals including those set out in the National Cancer Strategy 2017 -2026 through working groups and other approaches to implementation.

The Acute Haematology Oncology Nursing Service is pivotal in providing a non ED direct access route for cancer patients who require review. Cancer patients who are on treatment and become unwell can access the Clinical Nurse Specialist (Acute Haematology Oncology) via a dedicated telephone line in any of the 26 centres across the country that deliver SACT.

The service provides patients with access to specialist cancer nurse advice and support during the acute phase of their SACT treatment. Unwell patients who require additional clinical review are where possible seen in the cancer day care unit or a dedicated space away from the ED. It reduces the requirement for patients to attend the ED and prioritises appropriate ED referrals. The service is well placed to link with the MDT and community services as outlined in the Sláintecare strategy.