2005 Finalist

Booklet empowering cancer patients to take control of their care

A communication booklet designed for cancer patients on the isolated West Coast is proving a simple but effective innovation in care for patients in the region.

For West Coast patients, having cancer means frequent trips out of the region to receive specialist care. They are likely to come in contact with a wide range of people and receive an overwhelming amount of information. The booklet is a way for patients to keep everything in order and for different medical personnel to see what others have written.

It also helps all the various treatment providers keep track of different treatments and helps avoid mistakes. This is particularly relevant on the West Coast where there is a relatively high doctor turnover and patients may see several different doctors during a course of treatment.

Specialist oncology nurse Maree Johnston covers the entire West Coast working with patients during various stages of their illness. She was the booklet's author, innovator, initiator and the person responsible for encouraging patients and medical professionals to use it.

Since the booklets became available in 2004, they have been used by occupational therapists, GPs, pharmacists, specialists and nurses and have been generally well received by patients and treatment providers.

West Coast District Health Board
Contact: Vikki Carter 03 768 0499 ext 2665
Email: Vikki.carter@westcoastdhb.org.nz