Acute Oncology Services (AOS) Awareness Week

Monday 23rd October – Sunday 29th October 2023  

It’s Acute Oncology Services (AOS) Awareness Week! The Acute Oncology Service supports cancer patients admitted to hospital who are unwell with a complication of their cancer, side effects of their cancer treatment (chemotherapy or radiotherapy) or have a new diagnosis of cancer. 

The Acute Oncology Service (AOS) for Aneurin Bevan University Health Board is a nurse-led service covering The Grange University Hospital, Royal Gwent Hospital, Nevill Hall Hospital and Ysbyty Ystrad Fawr, providing specialist oncology input for any acute patient with: 

• An emergency new diagnosis of cancer 

• Complications related to cancer treatments, (chemotherapy radiotherapy immunotherapy) 

• Complications related to cancer itself 

The service works closely with all Health Board departments and in collaboration with Velindre Cancer Centre to ensure that the right information and expertise are available to provide high-quality patient care. Patients who are referred to the service will be contacted by a Specialist Nurse within 24 hours of referral, Monday to Friday. 

Throughout the week, our AOS team have been highlighting the service by visiting our different hospitals site and educating people on the work the team does. This included sharing information on Cancer Treatment Alert Cards.   

Alert Cards are carried by Welsh patients receiving anti-cancer drug treatments (eg chemotherapy or immunotherapy), listing key symptoms to watch out for and a 24-hour number to contact if unwell. The card is carried by the patient at all times and is a useful tool for staff to visualise when triaging to help keep patients safe and improve patient care. 

There is also a digital version coming soon – so patients will be able to have it on their phones. 

For more information on alert cards, please visit Macmillan's website. 

Meet the AOS team and learn more about them… 

To highlight the fantastic work the Acute Oncology Service team do, Julie has shared with us feedback about the care her Dad received from the team:

“My Dad, Albert, was recently admitted to hospital. He has a known diagnosis of metastatic gastric cancer and was admitted due to ascities and required treatment urgently. Although he knew the hospital admission was unavoidable due to how poorly he was, he still hated the thought of being away from home, my mother and the rest of the family.

Understandably, he was feeling very scared and wondering exactly what was happening to him, bless him. My dad is fully aware of his diagnosis and is also aware of his ongoing deterioration but I think no matter who you are, being away from your loved ones is such a traumatic experience in itself. 

I am writing this from a family perspective but also being a nurse myself I really want to highlight the importance of the role of our nursing professionals, with a special mention to the Acute Oncology Nursing staff. Seeing dad so poorly and low in mood and then literally minutes after speaking to AOS, he was a completely different individual. Seeing him so motivated and determined was just unbelievable and truly amazing to see. Sitting there and witnessing this as a family member was just so lovely and I will be forever grateful to Claire.

As I mentioned earlier, Dad was scared and didn't really understand what was happening and Claire demonstrated such positive and professional communication skills, ensuring Dad fully understood what was being explained and she clearly has brilliant knowledge in her role. There were no hesitations in Claire reviewing Dad and she was constantly liaising with Velindre, prompting the relevant investigations and most importantly for Dad, was also planning his discharge back home with the relevant and appropriate care being planned and then provided. 

Speaking to Dad about his experience, we all agree that the AOS is so beneficial to have within the Health Board. Dad passes on his thanks and appreciation to Claire also. He wants the team to be highlighted and recognised as he says this is what is truly deserved. Thanks again!” – Julie.