Training for medical, nursing and hospital based staff

The psychological impact of a cancer diagnosis on the health and well-being of patients and families is well recognised. Almost all cancer patients experience mild to moderate levels of distress in the first year after diagnosis and are likely to benefit from psychological techniques used by trained health professionals or a specific psychological intervention.

In this regard, Cancer Care West facilitates cancer specific rehabilitation and support education and training initiatives in a number of ways including training for multi professionals in the community as well as structured links into current education programmes for health care professionals. This is offered in conjunction with the National Cancer Control Programme and the Saolta University Healthcare Group.

Our primary training course is a three day Psycho-Oncology training for doctors, nurses and allied health professionals which explores psychological distress in cancer, offers techniques around recognising and assessing distress as well as specific intervention techniques to support patients in hospital. This course also highlights the importance of self-care for health professionals working in cancer.