Haematology Clinical Nurse Specialist/Key Worker v6

Version 6 | Updated 12th February 2026

Haematology Clinical Nurse Specialist/Key Worker

Patient Information

Oncology Services

The Patient Information Leaflets page on the Trust website is available on the link: https://www.wwl.nhs.uk/patient-information-leaflets or scan the QR code.

Author ID: JM
Leaflet ref: CC 032
Version: 6
Leaflet title: Haematology Clinical Nurse Specialist/Key Worker
Last review: August 2022
Expiry date: August 2024

Introduction

The role of the Haematology Clinical Nurse Specialist Key Worker is to provide a service for patients diagnosed with haematological cancer. A key worker is available to provide you with a point of contact from diagnosis through investigations and treatment for patients and their families whose life has been affected by a life-changing diagnosis.

Being informed you have cancer may cause you to have a difficult time dealing with this diagnosis, treatment, and information given to you or the effects that it is having on your life. You may have concerns or questions and your key worker can help you. If they cannot help you directly, they will refer you to the appropriate health professionals or give you the information to help you.

Your key worker is: ...................................................................................................................................

You can contact them on 07500 606 638 / 07500 606 348. Key workers are based in the hospital and can be contacted by telephone. If you leave a message on an answer phone, your key worker will call you back at the first opportunity if not that day it will be the following day.

We can offer:

Co-ordination of patient journey as the key worker
Advice and emotional support to you and your family
Explanation of the Multidisciplinary team meeting process
Written information about your cancer, potential treatments, and management plan
Referral to other services as needs require
Support group information
Point of contact-key worker role
Act as a link between different hospitals and hospital departments

If you require help or advice outside our working hours, you can seek support from your GP.

Multidisciplinary Team Meetings

Your healthcare team

Diagnosing and treating Haematology Cancers requires a team of experts. This team is called a Multi-Disciplinary Team (MDT). This team consists of professionals who deal with cancer. Members of this team understand what cancer cells look like and how they behave, they perform tests, diagnose the actual cancer type, and know which drugs are most effective in treating your cancer.

All new haematological diagnosed cancers are then discussed within a Specialist Multidisciplinary Team (SMDT) meeting consisting only of haematological team members from Wigan, Salford Royal, and Bolton hospital. This SMDT meeting takes place every week.

Some members of the healthcare team may meet you and may include the following:

Consultant Haematologist: You will usually be referred first to a Haematology Consultant who will give a full clinical assessment of your symptoms and diagnose primary and recurrent haematological cancers.
Oncologist: This is a visiting doctor from The Christie Hospital who is a specialist in radiotherapy, chemotherapy, and hormone therapy.
Haematology Clinical Nurse Specialist: This is an expert nurse with wide haematology experience and with specialist additional qualifications. Their expertise covers various haematology conditions and their management and current treatments available.
Radiologist: This is a radiology doctor who looks at x-rays and performs technical diagnostic imaging and specific scans to identify a diagnosis.
Diagnostic Radiographer: This person performs x-rays, CT scans, ultrasounds, bone scans, and MRI scans to produce images of an injury or disease. These tests assist the radiologist in your diagnosis and treatment plan.
Pathologist: The pathologist is a doctor who looks at cells under a microscope. They identify by looking at biopsies and blood films how cells behave and diagnose haematological cancers.
Research Nurse: This nurse identifies patients who may be suitable to participate in any clinical trials or research studies currently taking place. You may be approached by this person to identify if you would be interested to participate.
Radiotherapy Radiographer: This person administers the radiotherapy treatments prescribed by the oncologist.
Registrar/Staff Grade: This is a senior doctor who has decided to specialise in Haematology.

Counselling

Finding out you have cancer and adjusting to life after cancer can be an emotionally and difficult time. Counselling services aim to give you and your family the opportunity to talk through your worries or concerns. Counselling services can be arranged through your GP.