Review of a nurse consultant’s role: Identifying the contribution made to people living with and beyond cancer

AIM: To evaluate a new nurse consultant (NC) role, four specific objectives were set including examining the NC’s contribution to the local implementation over a 30‐month time period of the Recovery Package and assessing changes at a patient/professional/system level. METHODS: An evaluative process was agreed using Donabedian's (2005) model for measuring the quality of care provided. It focused on the NC’s contribution to the Trust's LWBC agenda including a review of Recovery Package metrics, analysis of the NC template recording activity across different domains, 360‐degree feedback and personal reflections. RESULTS: The evaluation demonstrated the NC’s influence on individual patient care with an increase in three of the four Recovery Package metrics to the Trust; improvements in delivery of services and a higher level of participation in activities aimed at raising awareness to LWBC at a regional and national level. Broader influences of this role were also evident.