Throughout the month of March we are going to be looking at the work of the Hunts Community Cancer Network (HCCN) charity. In the first part of our feature, Katie Kitson explains how HCCN came about. 

Hunts Community Cancer Network is a small charity that exists to transform the quality of life of those aged 18+ living with a cancer diagnosis, in the Huntingdonshire area. 

This innovative programme at the forefront of cancer care, delivers better support to cancer patients closer to home, whilst reducing costs to the NHS. This is done by providing no-cost, regular, evidence – based activities, that promote healthy eating, physical exercise and mental well-being, which is supported by the HCCN nursing team. 

The ‘Huntingdon model’ was originally part of a two-year pilot in 2012 funded by NHS East Of England, and has led the way in the region, with other commissioners looking to adopt this model of care.

The programme was one of seven pilot schemes covering East Anglia – and was the only one deemed a success gaining ongoing support and was later renamed HCCN in May 2013, and began serving nine GP surgeries. 

The Hunts Post: Gini Melesi was part of the original nursing team.Gini Melesi was part of the original nursing team. (Image: HCCN)

The original nursing team, which included a highly skilled community cancer nurse specialist and support workers – Gini Melesi, Mandy Robinson and Cheryl Goodwin – provided clinical treatments at home (where clinically appropriate), early assessment of emergency symptoms in liaison with Hinchingbrooke Hospital’s acute teams, access to information and education, help and advice on managing symptoms, and importantly helping patients develop the skills to maintain their own health and independence. 

The University of East Anglia evaluated the pilot in 2014 and found a 1.5.9 cost return – meaning for every pound spent, almost £6 was saved.

Moving care so that people can be treated in the community rather than in hospital has also improved patient experience. Gini Melesi, RGN, left her role at Hinchingbrooke in 2016 and is now head of Transformation Programmes, East of England Cancer Alliance – South, within NHS England & NHS Improvement. 

The current HCCN nursing team, now led by Andrea Cliff, takes referrals from 23 GP surgeries and comprises a team of nine community nurses including cancer practitioners, support workers, and a patient liaison and admin assistant. 

HCCN the charity was created to enable the aims and long-term aspirations of this forefront of local service to develop and flourish.

It was set up by some of the first patients to be cared for by the nursing team and was registered as a charity in August 2015. The charity provides a host of activities and support that is not possible to fund through the NHS. 

Founder of the charity, Susan Moore, died in September 2020, and she was the key driver of the charity’s mission. Susan had the vision to create a cancer charity that provided a holistic approach to managing a diagnosis of cancer.

The Hunts Post: Founder of the charity, Susan Moore.Founder of the charity, Susan Moore. (Image: HCCN)

She worked tirelessly to improve the wellbeing of cancer patients across Huntingdonshire and she wanted people to take control for themselves – she was passionate about giving them the information and tools to remain in control of their diagnosis and not be dictated to. 

Despite the increased growth in demand for their services, and the incredible pressure to fundraise for it all, Hunts Community Cancer Network are proud to still be offering completely free support.

This is down to their wonderful team of volunteers, contractors, nurses, trustees, users, members and external support and we look forward to finding out more about them all next week. 

In the meantime, you can find out more about HCCN, including what they have coming up, how you can help and how to donate, by visiting the website or Facebook page. www.hccnthecharity.org / https://www.facebook.com/HuntsCommunityCancerNetwork.