Where you live continues to have a massive impact on the quality of treatment you receive
John Bostock(Image: Macmillan)
A Bristol nurse is playing a starring role in a new advertising campaign for charity Macmillan which is aiming to raise awareness about inequalities in cancer care.
John Bostock, 45, a clinical nurse specialist in head and neck skin at University Hospital Bristol and Weston Trust (UHBW), appears in the new Fair Cancer Care campaign film, which made its TV debut over the Easter weekend during the Great British Bake Off Stand Up to Cancer.
John’s specialist role – one of the first of its kind in the country, linking Head and Neck services with Dermatology – was initially funded through a Macmillan pilot, and he says the charity’s support has been transformative for both him and his patients. He said taking part in the campaign film was a no brainer.
“When patients hear I’m part of Macmillan, you can see the reassurance it brings, which says so much about the impact of the charity,” he said. “Taking part in the advert was an easy yes for me.”
“Macmillan has supported both my role and my patients in so many ways, and it felt like a chance to give something back. Filming was a fantastic experience, and I felt proud to stand alongside other Macmillan professionals. Wearing the Macmillan lanyard means a great deal – it represents being part of something truly special that makes a real difference to people’s lives.”
Cancer care continues to be something of a postcode lottery, even in larger towns and cities. For example, people in Weston—where John holds a regular clinic—have to travel all the way to the Bristol Royal Infirmary to receive radiotherapy.
Local man John Kiely has started a petition to have a radiotherapy machine installed at Weston General Hospital. His case was debated in parliament earlier this month.
“Weston-super-Mare is a growing, thriving town with a population comparable to the city of Bath, yet cancer patients regularly make a round trip of 90 minutes by car or more than three hours by public transport to Bristol to get their treatment,” Local MP Dan Aldridge said in the Commons. “After his own difficult battle with cancer, my constituent John Kiely is leading an inspiring campaign to finally bring a radiotherapy machine to Weston General Hospital.”
The University Hospitals Bristol and Weston NHS Trust is currently undertaking a ‘feasibility study’ regarding the potential implementation of a new machine in Weston.
“We recognise the challenges that some of our patients face in being able to receive treatment close to home and are committed to working to improve local access to our services,” Professor Tim Whittlestone, Bristol NHS Group chief medical and innovation officer, said.
“We are currently carrying out surveys to better understand the feasibility of opening a radiotherapy unit at the Weston General Hospital. Any decisions about the future development and expansion of radiotherapy services in Weston will need to be taken with wider partners.”
The Macmillan campaign is trying to raise public awareness of its free support offer, which includes a confidential Support Line, peer-to-peer communities, one-to-one buddy schemes and partnerships with community organisations designed to reach those hardest to find.
Sonia Sudhakar, chief engagement officer at Macmillan Cancer Support, said: “At Macmillan, we know cancer isn’t fair – but cancer care should be. Our new Fair Cancer Care campaign brings real stories to life, showing the challenges people face and the support available to them, whoever or wherever they are.
“It will take all of us to build Fair Cancer Care. This is a rallying call to everyone: whether you’re living with cancer, supporting someone who is, or simply want to help – you can stand with us and play a part in making cancer care fairer for all.”
