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for the patients because they getdirect access to a medicines expert,continuity of care and a key contactfor problems and advice. The clinicshave also improved waiting times,increased capacity in oncology clinics,contributed to role development,and improved team working andjob satisfaction.NameWendy AndersonMacmillan Nurse ConsultantChemotherapyIn postSince February 2010LocationJames Cook University Hospital,South Tees Hospitals NHSFoundation TrustContactwendy.anderson@stees.nhs.uk01642 850850 ext 53665What does your role involve?I provide clinical expertise, adviceand nursing leadership to develop,promote and coordinate a multiprofessionalchemotherapy service.This includes the delivery ofchemotherapy, care of patientsexperiencing complications fromsuch treatments, and a 50% clinicalworkload. The chemotherapyservice has around 10,000 patientattendances each year.Tell us about the joint nurseand pharmacist-led clinicsI introduced these clinics for peoplereceiving chemotherapy for urologyor colorectal cancers, and they havebeen well-received. They are beneficialWhat other service developmentshave you led?Prior to 2010, the amount ofchemotherapy drugs wasted was inexcess of in excess of £8,000 amonth. In a project led by myself,we have been able to reduce thatwaste to around £200 a monththrough several different initiatives.These included: increasing staffawareness of the waste issue; askingprescribers to account for wastageof high cost items (£800 or above);implementing a more effectivesystem for obtaining and actingon results of bloods taken priorto treatments; and providing moreguidance and training for clinicianson the prescribing and managementsystem. We also used telemedicineto check each patient’s fitness andwillingness to proceed on the allottedday. A waste reduction culture is nowembedded into the service and wecelebrated this success.And you have also standardisedpolicies and procedures?The Trust now has one anti-cancermedicines policy for both malignantand non-malignant chemotherapydelivery. The aim of this is to supportthe delivery of high-quality, evidencebased care, and minimise the risksassociated with the delivery ofcytotoxic chemotherapy and otheranti-cancer medicines to patients. Thepolicy also addresses the governanceissues associated with chemotherapy12 Mac Voice Autumn 2012