Enhanced Supportive Care Service - Supportive care enhances excellent cancer care

What is Enhanced Supportive Care?

Enhanced Supportive Care (ESC) is the holistic, active care of patients who are living with incurable but treatable cancer. The goal is to intervene early and help achieve a good quality of life for patients. This is done by managing symptoms such as pain, nausea, constipation or fatigue from your cancer or it’s treatment; providing emotional and psychological support; and providing a safe space to ask questions and talk about what matters most for your ongoing care. Early supportive and palliative care interventions, alongside active disease treatment, have been shown to be extremely beneficial for both patients and their families/carers and can improve outcomes from your treatment.

The service works alongside your Haematology or Oncology specialists and liaises with your GP and other community-based healthcare professionals as appropriate. As well as treating physical and psychological symptoms, the ESC service will also help you to find support with financial, practical or spiritual needs. The multi-professional team comprises of doctors, specialist nurses, an occupational therapist and a clinical psychologist, who can work with you and your family/carer in an outpatient clinic or virtually by telephone or video.

What happens at your initial consultation?

When we meet you and your family or carers, we will undertake a holistic assessment reviewing any physical, psychological, social, spiritual and financial concerns. We will consider medications to manage your symptoms and may involve other services, either in the hospital or community, to help address issues further. We can listen to your concerns about the future and can help you to explore and express your preferences for future care that you may or may not wish to receive. Your outpatient appointment can take up to 45 minutes and we welcome a family member or carer joining you if helpful. Follow up appointments, if appropriate, can be done face-to-face or virtually by telephone or video.

How can I access this service?

Please speak with your Oncology or Haematology Consultant or Clinical Nurse Specialist who can refer you to the service. You can also enquire directly and self-refer to the service, and we will confirm this with your specialist team.

The ESC service is staffed by members of the palliative care team. Should you have any questions or need to reschedule an appointment, please do not hesitate to contact a member of our team on 01223 274404.

Contacting the Enhanced Supportive Care Team

Enhanced Supportive Care
Box 63, Elsworth House
Addenbrooke's Hospital
Hills Road Cambridge
CB2 0QQ

Telephone: 01223 274404

E-mail the Enhanced Supportive Care Team

Working hours are Monday to Friday, 09:00 to 17:00. Messages can be left on the answer phone at any time.

Compliments and complaints

If you wish to provide any feedback on the service or have cause for complaint, please contact:

Dr Ben Clark
Lead Consultant in Palliative Medicine
Box 63, Elsworth House
Addenbrookes Hospital
Hills Road
Cambridge
CB2 0QQ

Telephone: 01223 274404

E-mail Ben Clark

Useful contact details

General hospital enquiries or complaints

Patient Advice and Liaison Service (PALS)

Telephone: 01223 216756 or 01223 257257

E-mail CUH Patient Advice and Liaison Service (PALS)

Located in the Addenbrookes Information Centre

Macmillan Cancer Support

Click here for the Macmillan website (opens in a new tab)

Hospice Information Service

Click here for the Hospice Information Service website (opens in a new tab)

Cancer Information and Support Service

Based at the Information Pod in Oncology, Haematology and Radiotherapy Outpatients.

Anybody can drop in, no appointment necessary.

Open Monday to Friday 10:00 to 16:00 (except Bank Holidays).

Tel: 01223 274801

Email the Cancer Information and Support Service

Maggie's (Cambridge)

21 Milton House
Puddicombe Way
Cambridge
CB2 0AD

Tel: 01223 249220

Email Maggie's (Cambridge)

Monday to Friday 09:00 to 17:00

Caring Together Charity

Tel: 0345 241 0954

Click here for the Caring Together Charity website (opens in a new tab)