There are plenty of sources of information describing best practice in the treatment of head and neck patients. They range from the 2015 document “Achieving World Class Outcomes”, many NICE guidelines and quality statements and the 2012 NHS document “Nothing About Me Without Me” .
A recent article in the Nursing Times describes the head and neck pathway at UHNM, in Stoke.
There are many impressive features of the care they provide and I especially like a couple.
The team provide their patients with peer support, stratified into 3 streams head and neck, laryngectomee and thyroid.
Secondly there is an emphasis on patients being involved in decision-making about their care. Choice between alternative treatment options is highlighted in NICE guidelines and the patient view should figure highly in any such discussions.