Mesothelioma UK, the national asbestos-related cancer charity, has appointed Emma Laven as its new Clinical Nurse Specialist in the City of London. Emma will be based at St Bartholomew’s Hospital, covering hospitals across Barts Health NHS Trust, and will provide treatment, care and support for patients with the asbestos-related cancer, mesothelioma. Emma will also be working as part of the Trust’s Lung Cancer team in a split role with her Mesothelioma UK position. Emma’s position will be supported through funding, for one year, by the London Asbestos Support Awareness Group.
Emma has worked for eight years in oncology, originally training in Manchester before working at The Christie, the largest single-site cancer centre in Europe. After nursing in Australia for a couple of years, Emma was employed in the chemotherapy unit at University College London Hospitals (UCLH) and as a Clinical Nurse Specialist in the breast cancer unit at King’s College Hospital.
Mesothelioma is a cancer related to exposure to asbestos and predominantly affects the lining of the lungs. The UK has the highest incidence of the disease in the world, with around 2,700 people diagnosed each year.
Commenting on her appointment, Emma Laven said: “Working in oncology throughout my medical career, I have knowledge and experience of mesothelioma and wider lung cancers. In my new role, I’ll be focusing on the impact that mesothelioma has on patients, the availability of treatment options and clinical trials, and how I can best support and improve outcomes for patients.
“I look forward to understanding the processes for legal claims and benefits so I can help patients access the financial support that they are entitled to. As well as taking over the running of the monthly local support group at Barts, I am keen to develop other projects that will aim to improve the education and support for mesothelioma patients.”
Leah Taylor, Head of Nursing at Mesothelioma UK, added: “We’re delighted to welcome Emma to the Mesothelioma UK team. She will bring vital oncology experience gained in the UK and internationally to her Clinical Nurse Specialist role. She will help to improve treatment, care and support for mesothelioma patients in The City of London and beyond.
“Mesothelioma UK has a longstanding relationship with the Barts oncology team. Dr Jeremy Steel, Medical Oncologist at Barts was very involved with the charity for many of our earlier years and we have had several successful nurse specialist posts working alongside him and the team.”
Louise Chaffe, Head of Service at the London Asbestos Support Awareness Group, said: “Our Support Advisors are committed to supporting sufferers of mesothelioma and other asbestos related conditions. They have many years’ experience and will work closely with Emma to continue to provide an excellent service.”
For more details on the London Asbestos Support Awareness Group, visit the website at www.lasag.org.uk
Barts Health NHS Trust is made up of five hospitals – St Bartholomew’s Hospital in the City, The Royal London Hospital in Whitechapel, Newham Hospital in Plaistow, Whipps Cross Hospital in Leytonstone and Mile End Hospital.