New bid to tackle pain of cancer

A new way of controlling pain for cancer patients is to be introduced across western Scotland.

Patients will be given their own records as well as the notes held by their doctor.

A successful pilot scheme involving the new form of notes has already been carried out at the Southern General Hospital in Glasgow.

Those who took part in the initiative said it had given them more confidence in health service staff.

Patients can keep notes on their cancer by using the records, which also help NHS staff to provide better continuity of care.

Until now, sufferers' notes have always been held by their GP or hospital.

As cancer patients are treated by a variety of staff during their illness, health staff are often not able to see the notes - especially if a patient is admitted as an emergency.

But the pilot scheme at the Southern General introduced a second set of notes, in an easy-to-understand format, which are retained by the patient.

The notes provide a better overview of the patient's illness, covering things like the type of pain he or she experiences, the treatment which works best, and any allergies to medication.

Patients said the notes had given them more confidence in NHS staff, as well as triggering a reduction in the number of out-of-hours emergency admissions.

[The Associated Press]