About

Our support group was set up in 2013 by the Cancer Nurse Specialist at that time Lorraine Sutton, who felt a real need for enhancing patient support before and after surgery . We were then a satellite of the national  Oesophageal Patients Association, who supply the majority of literature you may have been given during your journey of treatment.

In 2020 the local group had become so successful that we, the ‘Committee’  decided to go it alone and Phil Coverdale, our Treasurer, applied for our own charity status which was recognised when we were given charity status this year.

What does this mean for you?

This means that all money raised will go directly to the local area to assist and support patient outings, and any requirements locally instead of being sent to the national group.

Who are we?

We are a group of volunteers consisting of patients, family members affected by their family’s own journey, a retired cancer clinical nurse specialist, and our lovely Georgie who organises refreshments.

We work closely with the team at QAH, surgeons, Tracy and Anne our cancer nurse specialists and Rosie our dietician along with the Multidisciplinary Office Lyn and Michelle who constantly support our endeavours.

Where do we meet?

We have been meeting quarterly at QA Hospital, but with the onset of Covid-19 virus we are looking to have some smaller, more local, Covid compliant meetings so watch this space!

What support is available to me and my family?

We can offer buddy support through surgery for patients and carers, we can  visit at home pre and post surgery and we can attend clinic appointments on Friday afternoons when the surgeons review your   progress.

We can support by telephone, an ear to listen to your concerns and flag you in the right  direction of any specialist requirements.

We have a wealth of experience in patients who, like yourselves, have been through the surgery and are now ambassadors for our group. They are Phil, Gill and Peter who not only empathise but understand the whole journey because they have lived it. Pam and Christine have experience in the    carers domain both being pivotal support for their family members and we are blessed to have them in the team. We also have 100+ group members and carers. After all that support, I am the nurse, Lorraine Sutton, who set the group up and have now become Chair as I am so passionate about cancer support.

The Committee