Macmillan - Macmillan Nurses
Macmillan nurses are specialist cancer nurses with experience and qualifications in cancer care. They can help you to understand your cancer diagnosis and treatment options and support you through your cancer experience.
What does a Macmillan nurse do?
Macmillan nurses are specialist nurses that work in different areas of cancer care. They may work in hospitals, hospices or in the community.
Macmillan nurses can help with information about the cancer, treatment, and help manage side effects. They can also tell you what other support is available. This may include information about social care, benefits advice, and local support groups. You can find out about the types of Macmillan nurses below.
Macmillan Clinical Nurse Specialist (CNS)
Some Macmillan nurses are based at the hospital and work as part of a multidisciplinary team (MDT). They are experts in certain types of cancer and are called Clinical Nurse Specialists (CNS).
A Macmillan nurse is usually your main contact at the hospital (your key worker). They can give you information about the type of cancer you have, your treatment options and possible side effects. They can also give you and your family practical and emotional support.
You are usually referred to a CNS when you are first diagnosed. But there may not always be a CNS for your type of cancer. You can ask your doctor if there is a nurse specialist you can talk to.
Some Macmillan nurses specialise in a very specific area of cancer care and have a different job title – such as being a Macmillan chemotherapy nurse or a Macmillan lymphoedema nurse.
Palliative care nurses
Often, people say Macmillan nurse when they are talking about nurses who help manage the symptoms of advanced cancer. These nurses are called palliative care nurses.
Palliative care nurses are experts in managing symptoms such as pain, sickness or breathlessness. They can also give emotional support and practical advice to you and people close to you. They will help you live as well as possible.
Palliative care nurses may be based in hospitals, or they may be based in the community and visit you at home.
Macmillan nurses work with your GP and community team to give specialist advice on any medicines and other support you may need. They do not usually give direct physical nursing care (hands-on nursing).
Your nurse may be called a Macmillan nurse or a palliative care nurse. They have the same skills and expertise and do the same job. In some areas, they may be known by other names – such as the name of the hospice they are attached to.
When would I be referred to a Macmillan palliative care nurse?
Some people think Macmillan nurses only help people at the end of life. But you can be referred to a palliative care nurse at any stage of your cancer experience.
Some people may be referred when they are first diagnosed with cancer. Palliative means that is it not possible to cure the cancer. But many people can live for a long time having palliative treatment to manage the cancer and any symptoms.
How do I get a Macmillan palliative care nurse?
A healthcare professional will need to refer you for palliative care. This will depend on your situation and needs. The referral can be from your cancer doctor or nurse, your GP or community nurse.
They will talk to you first and only refer you if you agree. If you would like to be referred but no one has talked to you about it, talk to your cancer team or GP.
There are many nurses who help look after people with cancer at home. These include district (community) nurses and Marie Curie nurses.
Can I get a Macmillan nurse by calling the Macmillan Support Line?
It is not possible to get a Macmillan nurse by calling the Macmillan Support Line. The Macmillan Support Line also does not have contact details for Macmillan nurses. If you would like to talk about your care or give feedback about a Macmillan nurse, you should contact the hospital, hospice or your GP practice.