Cancer initiative shortlisted for national award

The NCCP Rapid Access Lung Clinic, working with Galway University Hospital, has been shortlisted for the fifth annual Crystal Clear MSD Health Literacy Awards.

The clinic was included in the ‘Best Project in a Hospital’ category for its NCCP Rapid Access Lung Clinic Patient Booklets initiative and will now be invited to attend the Crystal Clear MSD Health Literacy Awards Ceremony in Dublin on Monday 14 May 2012.

The National Cancer Control Programme (NCCP) worked with Galway University Hospital and other cancer centres around Ireland to develop the Rapid Access Lung Clinic patient booklet to provide information for patients about what to expect when they attend their clinic.

GPs can refer patients with suspected lung cancer to a Rapid Access Lung Clinic as early diagnosis increasess the chance for a cure. The typical lung cancer patient is often from the lower socio-economic groups, and therefore may have low literacy levels.

The deliverable of this project was to produce and distribute the patient booklets to the eight designated cancer centres around the country. The core information in all eight booklets is standardised and there is hospital specific information in the individual booklets. This was to ensure that clear information is available to all patients, irrespective of which hospital they attend.

As well as informing the patients about their visit to the clinic, they include health promotion information, in particular a focus on encouraging patients to quit smoking. The booklets have been awarded the Plain English mark by NALA and pictures and diagrams were included to make the booklet easier to read.

For further information on the Crystal Clear MSD Health Literacy Awards, log onto www.healthliteracy.ie.