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University Hospitals Bristol & Weston NHS Foundation Trust is committed to providing personalised care and support to cancer patients, a Holistic Needs Assessment (HNA) is one element of this care.   

                                

What is a Holistic Needs Assessment (HNA)?

A Holistic Needs Assessment (HNA) is a routine assessment and discussion you may have with someone from your healthcare team, this could be with a Clinical Nurse Specialist (CNS) or most commonly a Macmillan Cancer Support Worker (CSW).  Together you will talk through your needs and concerns with the aim to agree a plan for your care and support needs.

An HNA enables you to focus on any areas of concern you may have, for example:

• Practical support, for example, money, work or household tasks;
• Emotional support, for example depression, fears, worry, anger or anxiety.
• Family and relationships, for example, changes in your relationships.
• Spiritual/religious support, for example, loss of faith, loss of meaning or purpose.
• Physical concerns, for example, appearance, eating, fatigue.
• Other concerns such as healthy lifestyles, for instance following a healthy diet, quitting smoking or cutting down on alcohol.

What are the benefits of having a HNA?

• You can get information and support to help you with your concerns.
• It will help you identify the concerns that are most important to you.
• You can be referred to other services if you need more help or support

At what point can I have a HNA?

You are offered a HNA around the time when you are diagnosed, during treatment or after your treatment has ended.  If you are not offered a HNA let your healthcare team know.

A Holistic Needs Assessment can be repeated at any point you choose, we are always here to help and support you.

What happens next?

Once you have been referred to the Macmillan Cancer Support Workers for a Holistic Needs Assessment, you will receive an introduction letter in the post informing you of how you can complete the assessment. The Macmillan Cancer Support Workers will contact you following this to arrange a convenient time to discuss any concerns or questions you may have identified on the assessment.

For further information please contact our Macmillan Cancer Support Workers on 01173421526 or alternatively speak to your healthcare team. 

 

Personalise Care and Support Therapy Treatment Support Service

The Therapy Treatment Support Service offers a triage phone call for issues like loss of function or decreased mobility, pain, fatigue, breathlessness and physical activity advice. The triage call results in either advice, up to 3 sessions of ongoing support or an onward referral. This service is open to anyone with a cancer diagnosis being treated at University Hospitals Bristol and Weston NHS Foundation Trust aged over 16

 

Psychological Health Services

Cancer Information and Support Centre

Open:  Monday - Thursday, 8.30am - 4.30pm

                                 Friday, 8.30am - 4pm

Contact number: 0117 3423369

Email: cancerinformationandsupport@uhbw.nhs.uk

Our Cancer Information and Support Centre is located on Level 4, Bristol Haematology and Oncology Centre opposite the main reception desk. 

The centre is open to anyone and works as a drop in service offering emotional and practical support in a warm and friendly environment.  Visiting the centre is free and confidential and run by our team of professional Macmillan Cancer Support Workers.

Please follow this link to the more information.