Progressing your Acute Oncology Service

Ali Hodge is an Advanced Clinical Practitioner in Acute Oncology and Immunotherapy at University Hospitals Sussex. Her role was the first in Acute Oncology and Immunotherapy at University Hospitals Sussex. Her role was created to help develop the acute oncology service, along with the development of an immunotherapy toxicity service and acute oncology assessment unit. The role is varied including patient assessment and management (both inpatients and outpatients), supporting the assessment of Cancer patients in the ambulatory setting and Emergency departments. Supporting the SACT nurses on the telephone triage line, and developing the nurses working areas where cancer patients are managed. 

Ali qualified from Brighton University with a BSc (Hons) European Nursing Studies. It was during her studies that her passion and commitment to cancer care was developed. Ali has 23 years’ experience in cancer care and is an active member of both UKONS and EONS. Her career has included being a matron, lecturer-practitioner and advanced nurse practitioner. 

Ali has presented both nationally and internationally on a variety of subjects, including acute oncology, immunotherapy and career development within this emerging field of nursing. Ali has worked on a number of local and national documents to ensure equality in the provision of support for patient with side effects of their cancer treatment.

Ali’s main area of interest is medical and clinical oncology with a specific interest in the care of patient with side effects from cancer treatment. Ali is passionate about cancer nursing with a focus on advanced practice within cancer nursing. 

Eden currently works as an Acute Haemato-Oncology Clinical Nurse Specialist at Musgrove Park Hospital in Taunton. They are a small service devised of 5 CNS’ and an Associate Specialist. Eden has worked in Haematology/Oncology for the last 4 years, becoming a CNS in the last year, and couldn’t imagine doing anything else; although she does do a bit of dog grooming on the side! Eden is also currently undertaking her training to become an ANP in Acute Haemato-Oncology.

The two main areas of Sonali’s clinical interest include Colorectal Cancer and Carcinoma of Unknown Primary (CUP)/ Acute Oncology Service (AOS). Over the years, Sonali gained invaluable experience from multiple Cancer Centres across different parts of United Kingdom (Wales, Northern Ireland and England). This not only accelerated the rate of her professional growth as Medical Oncologist; but also allowed her to build collaborative relationships.

In 2016, Sonali was awarded PhD (CRUK) for identifying novel predictive and prognostic biomarkers in early and advanced stages of colorectal cancer (Queen’s University, Belfast, UK).  In parallel, she was also awarded Post Graduate Diploma in Oncology with distinction marks (Newcastle Uni, UK). Sonali has published in peer reviewed journals, both as first author and co-author; and has presented her work in national/international forums. Sonali is the local Principal Investigator (PI) for several multi-centred randomised trials, as well as translational projects. Sonali co-authored Medical Oncology SCE Handbook (ACP, 2022) and is Educational Supervisor for Medical Oncology trainees.

Sonali’s passion for Acute Oncology developed during the time she led a brand new AO service for Northern Ireland (North West Cancer Centre, Western Health and Social Care Trust). Interestingly, their experience as newly established AOT taught them that a parallel running CUP service could be hugely beneficial for patient centred care and seamless delivery of AOS. This integrated service underwent external peer review and received positive formal/informal feedback, from HCPs and patients alike.

In Velindre Cancer Centre, apart from a busy colorectal cancer practice, Sonali leads on a new CUP Service for South East Wales. Working closely with her partners from West Wales and North Wales, all Wales CUP group is undertaking crucial work on optimal pathways and national guidelines. Sonali is also an active member of National Cancer Research Institute (NCRI) CUP work stream, facilitating the principles of ‘bench to bedside medicine’ for CUP patients in Wales.

Each patient is unique in their own way; recognising this and adopting a policy of personalised medicine by integrating clinical details, conventional treatment, topical research and patient wishes brings Sonali great satisfaction.