Saskia Claassen (PhD IQ Health) has won the De Rijn Network Care Award with the Integrated Oncological (After)care Project – Nijmegen (IONN). The award was presented on Thursday 13 November during the Over de Bogen conference, a leading nursing conference for the Arnhem & Nijmegen region.
This two-day conference focuses on nursing perspectives and presents awards in the fields of network care, professionalisation and implementation. The Rijn Network Care Award is presented annually to a nurse who realises integrated network care within a transmural network, with explicit attention to person-centred care.
The jury awarded the prize to Saskia for her successful implementation of network care beyond the boundaries of the hospital.
Important step towards national upscaling
IONN is one of five implementation projects within the national programme “Permanent point of contact for oncology outside the hospital walls”. The award is not only a great recognition for the team in the Nijmegen region, but also an important stimulus for national upscaling.
Together with four other regional projects – made possible by financial contributions from the Foundation for Integral Oncological Care (VIOZ) and KWF Cancer Relief – the IONN project demonstrates that a seamless, person-centred approach is widely applicable. The combined experiences and results form a solid basis for structurally embedding the concept of a “Permanent Point of Contact for Oncology” in oncology care pathways throughout the Netherlands.
The IONN project in brief
In the Nijmegen region, IONN is implementing a person-centred aftercare programme for people with cancer that transcends the boundaries of care lines. This programme ties in with the clinical care pathways for lung oncology, gastroenterology and urology at CWZ and Radboudumc.
After completing hospital treatment, the patient is systematically referred to a “Permanent Point of Contact (PPC) for Oncology” in primary care: an experienced oncology nurse from “Care for Cancer”.
The patient and the VAP determine together where the support needs lie. The VAP helps the patient find the care that meets their needs. The VAP works closely with the hospital, general practitioners, primary care networks, informal care and the social domain.
The patient is central and is actively involved in the development, implementation and evaluation of aftercare. This ensures continuity of care, personal control and recovery at home as an integral part of every oncology care pathway.