An open letter to patients from Marion Foreman, Patient Advisory Board Chair, East of England Cancer Alliance
Cancer Services during COVID-19
September 2020
Dear patients,
A brief update as we work together to restore cancer services. Part of our role as expert patients is to monitor and review all the initiatives that are being put in place to ensure that all patients receive the treatment that they need to help them to recover from cancer.
You don’t need me to tell you that we have been (and still are) going through some extraordinary times – the NHS has risen to the challenge and whilst there is still a backlog of people waiting to be treated – progress is being made.
But we need you to do your bit too. We all need to do our best to keep healthy and to take responsibility for our own wellbeing. If you have an appointment at the hospital – please keep it. If you are unsure what precautions to take – phone your treatment team – they will give you the latest advice. If you think you have been forgotten – please phone your team and find out what is happening. And if you have friends and family who are feeling reluctant to step forward for routine screening – please encourage them to take up offered appointments and to send specimens as requested. Cancer won’t go away just because COVID-19 is around.
Please do 'help your healthcare team to help you'.
If you would like to know more about the PAB and our work please get in touch – we are recruiting now.
With best wishes,
Marion Foreman
Patient Advisory Board Chair, EoE Cancer Alliances