AHP SO09 - Introduction of Registered Advanced Nurse Practitioner into Upper Gastrointestinal Cancer Surgical Service

Abstract Background The author whom is a nurse, works in a large University teaching hospital with a mission to deliver best quality care to patients, where its nursing philosophy ensures continued and consistent commitment in the provision of holistic patient centred care to the highest possible standard. The introduction of the new Registered Advanced Nurse Practitioner (RANP) role within the Upper GI Surgical Department is part of the expansion of the Upper Gastrointestinal cancer service within the hospital. Method At the nurse-led cancer surveillance clinic the RANP is authorised to assess, review and initiate diagnostic interventions for a specific agreed cohort of patients with Upper GI cancer. Results An Upper GI RANP has recently been recruited into the Upper Gastrointestinal cancer surgical service in the hospital and commenced reviewing patients on 11.09.23. The overall aim of the post is to deliver an advanced level of clinical nursing practice within the field of gastrointestinal cancer with the quality improvement objective to enhance patient experience within the hospitals Upper GI cancer service. Conclusion Cancer survivorship begins at the time of diagnosis and continues until the end of life (DOH; 2017). Optimising these patients’ quality of life is now a primary focus of the Irish Healthcare system. Focus has now shifted to living well with, through and beyond a cancer diagnosis (DOH; 2017). The National Cancer Strategy 2017- 2026 (DOH;2017) has highlighted that there is significant scope and need to expand the number of ANP’s in our cancer services particularly to run nurse-led clinics for follow-up and survivorship. This new ANP role within the Upper GI service will seek to address this need.