In 2021, Gateshead Health faced the challenge of communicating with cancer patients during the pandemic lockdown. With social distancing in place and no face-to-face appointments, the hospital needed to find new and innovative ways to provide valuable information and support to those in need.
The solution came in the form of a podcast series called the ‘Patient Cancer Podcast’, which was launched and hosted by cancer nurse specialist Caroline Tweedie.
The podcast series focuses on advice about issues surrounding lifestyle changes, real-life experiences, as well as new research and developments. It features clinical experts and charitable organisations, including cancer nurse specialists, psychologists, and palliative care services.
Karen Roberts, deputy director of nursing, midwifery, and quality, said at the time:
“We wanted to find new and innovative ways of reaching out to people through what can be an emotional and anxious time – especially with the recent added complications of COVID-19.”
Karen Roberts
As lockdown eased, the Patent Cancer Podcast series continued to draw in patients to access the valuable information and support in this digital on-demand format. The series has taken on a different format over the past year, with video podcasts hosted on Gateshead Health’s YouTube channel, with over 2,000 views across the series playlist and many more listeners choosing to access the series via Spotify.
Caroline Tweedie, who launched and hosted the podcast series, went on to be nominated and win two awards, including the Bright Ideas in Health Awards 2022 and the Silver award at The British Journal of Nursing – Oncology Nurse of the Year 2023.
Earlier this year, Caroline covered ‘a day in the life of a breast cancer clinical nurse specialist’, giving readers a candid snapshot of her role and what makes it challenging and enjoyable.
If you would like to read more about the breast services at Gateshead Health, you can find out more on their website.