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O15 Explore the impact of clinical nurse specialist led holistic needs assessment on patient’s cancer journey and care planning for patients with hepatocellular carcinoma

gutjnl · 2025-10-06 · canonical JSON source

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Background and Aims Within a regional Hepatocellular Carcinoma centre; the clinical nurse specialist (CNS) team incorporated a pathway to support patients and identify and address care needs using a personalised approach. Every patient at diagnosis are offered a holistic needs assessment (HNA) checklist and appointment to develop a patient centred care plan. The CNS is part of the multidisciplinary team and providing advanced practice in the management and care for patients with HCC. Our aim was to understand the unmet care needs for patients with HCC and the impact the CNS can have on this.Method All new patients were offered a checklist ( figure 1) to complete prior to a virtual appointment to review their needs and create an individual, person centered care plan to address their needs with a CNS. These needs were analyzed over a 1 year period and collated on the my care plan platform (Macmillan). Patient feedback was gathered from 20% of patients after their care planning appointment.Results There are significant care needs for patients diagnosed with HCC. The 3 most common care needs identified were treatment information, transport and travel and carer needs however pain and fatigue were the highest priority of need. Fatigue score >6 (scale 1–10 with 10 being very severe) was present in >20% of diagnostic HNA. This analysis was of 146 HNA review with CNS over 1 year with 83% at diagnosis. Further analysis at follow up HNA showed 68% reduction in practical needs alongside reduction in symptom burden score/severity. Patient feedback questionnaire after the appointment showed high satisfaction with CNS interaction and intervention.Abstract O15 Figure 1Conclusion The role of the clinical nurse specialist is essential to ensure unmet needs are identified and a plan to care agreed especially within HCC as there is increased symptom burden and care needs which can be improved with specialist intervention. Further analysis of needs based on treatment stage can further stratify the CNS role in the care journey