Comedian Adam Kay joins patients and staff to celebrate the South Wales Neuroendocrine Cancer Service
Comedian Adam Kay joined patients and staff to celebrate the award-winning South Wales Neuroendocrine Cancer Service and support the Neuroendocrine Cancer Fund.
The event took place at Hensol’s Vale Resort on 13th October 2022 and saw members of the South Wales Neuroendocrine Cancer Service and patients share their experiences of the service and its transformation over the past five years.
Author, comedian and former doctor, Adam Kay participated in the event in his role as ambassador of Cardiff & Vale Health Charity’s South Wales Neuroendocrine Cancer Fund.
Hosted at Cardiff and Vale University Health Board, the South Wales Neuroendocrine Cancer Service provides world-class care for people living in south Wales with Neuroendocrine Cancers in partnership with Swansea Bay University Health Board and Velindre Cancer Centre.
Neuroendocrine (NET) cancers are uncommon but increasingly prevalent cancers that arise from different organs of the body.
Patients receive expert care from a multidisciplinary team of clinical nurse specialists, pathologists, gastroenterologists, radiologists, dietitians, oncologists, endocrinologists, general and specialist surgeons, and cardiologists, led by Consultant Gastroenterologist, Dr Mohid Khan.
Dr Mohid Khan said: “It is an absolute pleasure to be working with an incredible multidisciplinary team across Cardiff and Vale University Health Board, Swansea Bay University Health Board and Velindre Cancer Centre, establishing working relationships with clinicians from all Health Boards and commissioners.
“Although it has been a journey with peaks and troughs, changing the service model in an innovative way and involving patients in the transformation has resulted in hard evidence of improved clinical and patient outcomes, and patient experience for the first time in this cancer.
“While there is further work ahead to ensure the service is sustainable with other improvements planned, it is humbling to see patients feedback in such a positive manner whilst living with this cancer.”
The care provided by the team includes precise diagnostic assessment, holistic symptom management including nutrition, proactive monitoring, surveillance scans, clinical reviews and a variety of therapies or surgery.
Natasha Richards, a patient of the South Wales Neuroendocrine Cancer Service, said: “My experience of the South Wales NET Service is a very positive one. I've never had to wait for anything, I feel like everything has been thoroughly investigated and I'm being well looked after. Dr Khan and the team are accessible, approachable and friendly.”
After its transformation in 2017, the service has marked a significant milestone in being awarded the European Neuroendocrine Tumour Society (ENETS) Centre of Excellence status.
It has also been awarded the UK Patient Experience Network award, recognised by the European Rare Cancer Network (EURACAN) as an expert centre, and was a finalist for the British Medical Journal Cancer Team award.
Executive Medical Director of Cardiff and Vale University Health Board, Professor Meriel Jenney, said: “Mohid and the Team delivering the wider South Wales Neuroendocrine Cancer Service should be incredibly proud of their outstanding achievement in securing European Neuroendocrine Tumour Society Centre of Excellence status.”
The Neuroendocrine Cancer Fund will continue to support the service to implement innovative projects and research activities to improve care for patients while developing a better understanding of cancer.
If you would like to donate to the South Wales Neuroendocrine Cancer Fund and support its work visit www.healthcharity.wales/neuroendocrine-cancer-fund.