When a patient is referred onto a cancer pathway, they will be looked after by a multi-disciplinary team (MDT).
A multi-disciplinary team (MDT) is a group of trained staff from different areas of healthcare, who meet together every week, to discuss the care of individual patients. Their main focus is the clinical management of each patient’s future care and treatment. The MDT links to the wider care team, in particular the patient’s GP. This ensures that treatment decisions are made in consultation with the patient and ongoing support and care is continued.
For our cancer patients, the MDT will be made up of the following people:
- Consultant Physician/Surgeon
They will refer you for investigations and will diagnose, treat and manage your care. If you require surgery, the consultant surgeon will be able to provide you with information on which surgery will be best for you.
- Oncology/Haematology Consultant
You may meet an oncologist/haematologist if cancer has been confirmed. They will explain your diagnosis and stage of cancer, discuss treatment options, and assist in managing the side effects and symptoms of cancer and its treatment.
- Consultant Radiologist
The consultant radiologist is an expert in various imaging techniques used to diagnose various conditions, including cancer. They interpret the resulting medical images which help to determine the most appropriate treatment.
- Consultant Histopathologist
A consultant histopathologist is a doctor who looks in detail at tissue samples under a microscope to make a diagnosis.
- Macmillan Cancer Nurse Specialists
The clinical nurse specialist is a nurse who has expert knowledge and experience in cancer, often called your key worker. They form part of the team of healthcare professionals who will be providing support, information and advice during your investigations, diagnosis and treatment. They will also ensure the patient is involved in the decision making process.
- Macmillan Cancer Care Coordinator
The Macmillan cancer care coordinator works closely with the cancer nurse specialists, and is at the heart of coordinating and streamlining the care for patients with cancer.
You may also meet the following professionals during your journey:
- Clinical support workers
- Advanced Clinical Practitioners
- Nurse specialists
- Chemotherapy specialist nurses
- Dieticians
- Physiotherapists
- Speech & Language Therapists
- Pharmacists