Sheffield nurse consultant flies flag for cancer survivors

Professor Diana Greenfield, who has championed ‘late effects’ and cancer survivorship for many years, believed to be the first person in the UK to be bestowed an Honorary Chair in Cancer Survivorship.

A NURSE consultant championing the needs of cancer survivors living with the long-term effects of cancer in the decades and years after treatment has been honoured by the University of Sheffield for her trailblazing work in the field.

Professor Diana Greenfield, a Macmillan Consultant Nurse based at the Royal Hallamshire and Weston Park Hospital, is believed to be the first person in the UK to be bestowed an Honorary Chair in Cancer Survivorship.

The prestigious honour is also the first time a consultant nurse/midwife at Sheffield Teaching Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust has been recognised by the University for the direct impact of their clinical and academic work at local, national and international level.

Diana has championed ‘late effects’ and cancer survivorship for many years, and has an internationally recognised track record of research and service development within Sheffield.

The ‘Late Effects’ service at the Royal Hallamshire and Weston Park Hospitals continue to support the ongoing general health and wellbeing, physical and psychosocial needs of cancer survivors in an era of improving survival rates. This includes diabetes, low male hormone levels, infertility, obesity, high blood pressure, anxiety and depression rather than cancer recurrence.

Thanks to improvements in treatments, patients are now surviving cancer for longer than ever before, with new projections highlighting that by 2020 one in two people will get cancer in their lifetime, but almost four in 10 will not die from the disease.

After publication of national guidance on improving outcomes for children and young people – which recommended late effects care for childhood cancer survivors – her nurse consultant role was created in September 2009.

Professor Diana Greenfield, Macmillan Consultant Nurse for Sheffield Teaching Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, said: “I am truly honoured to have been recognised by the University of Sheffield for firmly putting cancer survivorship on the agenda. It is a privilege to look after people who have survived cancer, and learn from them every day.”

Professor Hilary Chapman, Chief Nurse for Sheffield Teaching Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, added: “I am delighted that Diana has been recognised by the University of Sheffield for improving care for cancer survivors. Not only has she helped to establish a truly inspirational consultant nurse role, but she has also led the way with the development of clinical services, promoting best practice and aiding greater understanding of the challenges cancer survivors face. Her new role will help fly the flag for Sheffield across many specialities.”

Professor Tony Weetman, Pro-Vice-Chancellor of Medicine, Dentistry and Health at the University of Sheffield, said: “Diana's pioneering work has made a real difference to so many people not just locally but nationally and internationally. Her dedication over the past 20 years has been truly inspirational and we are delighted to present her with this special honour.”

ENDS

MEDIA CONTACT:
Claudia Blake, Communications Specialist
Tel: 0114 226 5033
Email: claudia.blake@sth.nhs.uk

 


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