The Nursing Team
HCCN nurses are a home based service based out of Hinchingbrooke Hospital. We supplement the work of the hospital, the doctors and nurses making your life as simple as possible. We carry out interventions that allow you to stay in your own home or stay working as much as possible during your treatment. We keep you symptom free, avoiding unplanned hospital admissions and if you’re in hospital we look to get you out and home with your friends and family as quickly as possible. We are here to support the whole family. Our aim is to help patients, just like you, take back control of your life.
We are a friendly team who want to support you and your family through what can be a very confusing, stressful and worrying time.
The charity side to the organisation works in partnership with the nurses, funding the gap that the NHS cannot fill. The charity provides extra nurse training and equipment, innovative exercise equipment and technology and evidence based supportive activities such as health and wellbeing services, rehabilitation classes and nutritional advice.
The service can be accessed by anyone over the age of 18 affected by any cancer, either directly or indirectly. Today, the service works across 29 GP surgeries. Andrea Cliff leads a team of 7 nurses, assisted by Sally Smart who keeps things running smoothly in the office!
You should have already been put in touch with your nurse and been given their full contact details within 24 hours of your referral. If you lose their details or need anything else then give Amanda a call on 01480 416410.
Andrea Cliff
Lead Community Cancer Nurse Specialist
My name is Andrea. I have been a nurse within the team since spring 2017, having come from working in general practice.
In previous roles, I have been a midwife and research nurse for Cancer Research UK, (when it was known as the Imperial Cancer Research Fund). I love the opportunity we are given to look after our patients holistically and to help them to live their lives well with cancer.
I have recently been sponsored to become an acupuncturist, by the charity, and I am now actively treating patients with some very positive results.
I generally cover the Huntingdon area and work Monday, Tuesday Thursday and Friday.
I am married with 2 grown-up children and in my spare time, I play trombone in a local brass band.
Sally Smart
Administration & Patient Liaison officer
My name is Sally.
Andi Lines
Community Cancer Support Worker
Hello, I’m the other Andrea in the team so to avoid confusion I am known as Andi.
I have been with HCCN for two and a half years now and previously worked in a local Drs surgery for 10 years.
I am a Community support worker, taking blood samples and providing support for the nurses in the team. I feel privileged to do my job, working closely with the patients and really enjoy getting to know them and their families.
I have two grown-up children and two grandchildren. I enjoy travelling and exercise, including spinning and walking.
I also run the HCCN men’s club which has grown into a wonderfully friendly welcoming group that I am proud to be a part of.
Mel Scholes
Community Cancer Nurse Specialist
My name is Mel and I will have been with the HCCN team for a year in February 2020! Previously I worked as a Breast care specialist Nurse and I have also worked as a Community Palliative Care Nurse, and prior to that, I was in the District Nursing team in St Neots.
I work Monday to Friday covering St Neots, Eaton Socon, Great Staughton and Surrounding areas.
Like the other Nurses in my team, I feel very passionate about my role within HCCN. I meet such lovely patients and I hope that they feel well supported.
I live locally with my husband and have 2 grown-up children. My daughter is a Nurse and my Son is a Paramedic.
I head the HCCN local fundraising within the nursing team and although it can be time-consuming it is very rewarding. If you’d like to get involved then I’m the person to contact!
Sandra Langstaff
COMMUNITY CANCER NURSE SPECIALIST
My name is Sandra, I qualified as a nurse 31 years ago, during this time the role has changed beyond recognition as you can imagine nursing is something very special that I still love to this day.
I am married with two grown-up daughters and a beautiful grand-daughter. I decided to apply to work with HCCN after my youngest daughter left home for University, having had amazing and very positive feedback about the service from several cancer patients and I was delighted when I got the job.
I feel it really is a privilege the patients and families welcome you into their homes and you develop a relationship with them all which is lovely, I really feel we do make a difference to such patients as we can spend time talking and listening in a relaxed environment rather than the busy hospital setting.
Cancer care is ever-changing, as a team we support each other very well and often bounce new ideas off one another constantly trying to make things better, always looking for ways in which the service can develop and excel.
I work Monday to Thursday and cover Warboys, Ramsay, Chatteris, Manea and Somersham.
Jane Nicholls
COMMUNITY CANCER NURSE SPECIALIST
I am Jane, I have been a nurse for over 25 years and really love my job. In my nursing career I have worked in London, Cambridge and for the last 13 years at Hinchingbrooke Hospital and within the local community. I have worked as a Cancer Specialist Nurse, Palliative care nurse and Out of hours District Nursing Sister, caring for many palliative patients in their own homes.
The opportunity to work for HCCN, two days a week, was exciting. I feel very passionate about supporting patients and their families through their cancer journey. I am also keen to learn more about new cancer treatments and survivorship programmes that are now being delivered.
I live in Godmanchester with my family. I love walking my dog Lottie and travelling abroad exploring new places.
I generally work on a Monday and Thursday, and mostly cover the St Ives area and the Ramsey and Chatteris area.
Harriet Da Costa
COMMUNITY CANCER NURSE SPECIALIST
I’m Harriet and have been lucky enough to work for HCCN since January 2017. I cover the St Ives area with Karen and Andi, I work Wednesday, Thursday and Fridays.
I previously worked on the stem cell transplant unit at Addenbrookes for 5 years before making my move to HCCN. We are such a unique service and it is an honour to support patients and their families in their own homes. I love working within our small team who are always there to support each other and are great fun to be around.
I run the acupuncture clinic on a Wednesday with Sandra at Woodlands mainly treating patient’s side effects from treatment such as hot flushes and peripheral neuropathy. Acupuncture can be a really effective and simple way to improve someone’s quality of life and I promise it doesn’t hurt that much!
Outside of work I am married and have 2 crazy boys, Monty and Felix who definitely keep me busy! You might occasionally see me out running or completing sponsored runs but mainly I enjoy drinking coffee and eating cake!
Silvia Caires
COMMUNITY CANCER NURSE SPECIALIST
Hi I’m Silvia
Fiona Hope
COMMUNITY CANCER NURSE SPECIALIST
Hi I’m Fiona