Network of care for children and teenagers with cancer: an overview for adult cancer nurses

The network of care for children and teenagers with cancer has developed over the years, addressing the needs of children, as well as the specific needs of children with cancer. Models of care that incorporate child health and paediatric cancer care have been established. Publication of the recent report by the Expert Advisory Group on Cancer (Calman-Hine 1995) in the UK has prompted a fundamental review of all cancer services within the National Health Service (NHS). One of the main recommendations of this report is that Cancer Centres working with local District General Hospital Trusts and the Primary Care Sector produce standardized treatment plans and referral protocols. This concept is the foundation of the model of care in paediatric oncology; consequently, service provision for children and teenagers with cancer is mentioned briefly within this report. The established model of care is perceived as effective. Overall, this paper intends to present a perspective on paediatric oncology nursing for adult cancer nurses, a perspective that will be illuminated and examined further as cancer nurses communicate via future publications within this journal. This is done with the expectation that communication and collaboration with colleagues within the field of adult cancer nursing will assist both disciplines in further advancement within their respective specialty areas, particularly in light of the recommendations put forward by the Expert Advisory Group on Cancer (1995).