The Scottish Mesothelioma Network is comprised of a team of clinicians from across Scotland who collaborate to:
- share best practice
- provide high quality clinical care
- provide information and support to all patients, wherever they live in the country
- ensure all patients have equitable access to potentially life-changing clinical trials
Leading charities, Macmillan Cancer Support and Mesothelioma UK, are working with local NHS boards across Scotland to fund and deliver this service, which enhances the care and support provided to people affected by mesothelioma. The country has some of the highest rates of the disease in the world so this service has a great impact.
The service will provide patients with a dedicated Mesothelioma Clinical Nurse Specialist (CNS), who provides enhanced support locally for patients and carers. Patients also have a dedicated Mesothelioma Lead Clinician to improve clinical care and access to clinical trials.
Network staff, based in Glasgow, Edinburgh, Inverness, Dundee and Aberdeen dial into a weekly Multi Disciplinary Team meeting to represent the patients and feedback clear, high-quality management plans and clinical trial information. This approach aims to speed up diagnosis and treatment of patients wherever they live and to ensure that optimal care is delivered as close to home as possible.
Dr Kevin Blyth, Consultant Respiratory Physician at the Queen Elizabeth in Glasgow, and Network Lead, commented:
“This service provides a weekly forum for clinical teams from across Scotland to share expertise, develop high quality care plans, and provide increased access to potentially life-changing clinical trials to patients wherever they live in the country. It also means that all Scottish patients with Mesothelioma will have access to a dedicated Mesothelioma Clinical Nurse Specialist and dedicated pathways developed by Mesothelioma Lead Clinicians.”
“The Network also gathers mesothelioma specific patient information which is used to audit the care provided so that continuous improvements can be made with the aim of improving outcomes and the quality of life of our patients.”
The network also aims to build on existing links between acute services and charity support organisations to ensure that patients and their families across Scotland are being offered the most up to date benefits and legal advice, as well as emotional and practical support.
Weekly Scottish Mesothelioma MDT
Glasgow Team
Action Mesothelioma Day
