More than 100 health care professionals from across the UK gathered at Queens University, Belfast recently to highlight ways to improve working practices for care professionals supporting teenagers and young adults (up to the age of 25) living with cancer.

The Winter Education event, held on November 18th, was organized by Teenagers and Young Adults with Cancer (TYAC), in association with Northern Ireland Cancer Fund for Children (NICFC). Chaired by Dr Anthony McCarthy, Consultant Paediatric Oncologist, Royal Belfast Hospital for Sick Children, and facilitated by Dr Dave Hobin, Consultant Paediatric & Adolescent Oncologist and Gillian Creevy, NICFC Chief Executive. Based on a Communication theme, the conference provided professionals supporting teenagers and young adults with cancer, a platform to discuss ways of improving service provision and supportive care for this unique patient group.

Dr Hobin, said: “This was a great opportunity for medics, social work staff, nurses and other care professionals to come together to share best practice to better support the needs of teenagers and young adults with cancer. By discussing the changing needs of young people with cancer, we can help them at what is likely to be the most difficult time in their lives.”

 Liz Osborne, NICFC Director of Services commented, “This is the first time Northern Ireland has hosted a TYAC conference, and we were delighted to lend our support. Occasions like this have lots of great benefits, from providing local health professionals with a forum to discuss and share best working practices, to all-important networking opportunities”.

The event was well-received by delegates, “I found the day to be very enjoyable and informative. The sessions will help me to develop the services I provide and I have gained lots of great information to take home and think about.”

We hope this will be the first of many similar events to be held in Northern Ireland.

For more information about the work of TYAC visit www.tyac.org.uk

Photo: L-R Gillian Creevy, NICFC,   DR A McCarthy, RVHSC, Anna Lo, MLA and DR Dave Hobin,TYAC

Updated on: 23rd November, 2011