All the trail-blazing work currently underway to provide a better experience for cancer patients at CHFT was the subject of our first Health Matters event for our members.

Faster diagnosis pathways, better, all-round holistic support and prehabilitation were all highlighted in the return of the series on medical issues for our members delivered by our experts here at CHFT.

Faster Diagnosis Programme Manager, Lucy Beckingham, Lead Cancer Nurse, Caroline Summers and Prehabilitation Lead, Nicky Hill shared the presenting duties. Lucy spoke about the faster diagnosis target, aiming to rule out or diagnose cancer within 28 days, and our new pathway navigators.

Caroline spoke about extra support available for patients and the need for good communications and discussion with patients and their families. Nicky Hill highlighted the advantages of prehabilitation for patients, in particular the Prostate Cancer group – a 12 week programme of education and exercise for patients which has had tremendous feedback.

Chair Helen Hirst, welcomed members and at the end thanked them for the session which was “really informative over a breadth of areas."

**The next Health Matters event will be this summer with a focus on the new A&E at HRI and other healthcare developments planned for the next few years.