Clatterbridge patients are using song to help with their recovery and care by improving their breathing and lifting their mood from an innovation idea suggested by one of our CCC Cancer Nurse Specialists.
The Relax, Sing and Breathe sessions take place every fortnight at Clatterbridge Cancer Centre – Liverpool for lung cancer patients, and are proving popular.
The sessions launched in time for November’s Lung Cancer Awareness Month, and led by Claire Williams, a singing and piano teacher who is also a professional Singing For Health Network practitioner.
Claire says that lung cancer patients can benefit from the breathing and singing exercises in a number of ways, including respiratory function improvements, having better posture and lung capacity, increased positivity, and enhanced mood and wellbeing.
Claire, who trained as a nurse before moving into music teaching, said: “Singing is holistic and for these patients it can support them in managing their breathing and help them to be aware of it during their day.
“It is not a choir as such and patients do not need to sing if they want to, but many do and it really does promote well-being. We also have staff involved, with is lovely to see.”
Patients and their carers who come to the sessions really do appreciate them, with one saying: “I was nervous about coming but I am glad that I came.” Another added: “I wish I could do this every week!”
Jo Wilson, Macmillan Lung Cancer CNS, who came up with the initiative, was inspired by a similar idea in Wales, which is run in conjunction with the Welsh National Opera. She said: “I thought with Liverpool having such strong music links that we could replicate that.”
Jo said: “As a lung CNS I see and hear daily about the impact of breathlessness on our patients. It can be so debilitating and anxiety inducing, and can lead to social isolation and depression. I think cancer patients have very little control over what is happening to their bodies and by giving them the tools to help manage breathlessness it gives them a little of that control back.
“In addition, there is the social aspect and peer support from people in similar situations to them which can be so important to a lot of patients. I am excited to see our sessions grow and hopefully develop a little community along the way!”
The sessions, which can help patients in other tumour groups too, are a pilot project being funded by CCC’s Arts in Health Programme, which is supported by Clatterbridge Cancer Charity. CCC Arts Coordinator Sam Wade said: “This is a fantastic way to have a clinical impact and enhance patient experience at the same time. The patients really enjoy coming together at these sessions and if they are making a difference, hopefully, we can make this permanent.”
CCC Innovation Manager Simon Bunting said: “Jo came to us with this fantastic idea submitting it through the trust’s Be Innovative scheme, and we knew this would be a huge help for our patients both physically and mentally. We were only too pleased to take it forward.
“It would be great if we get the funding to make this a permanent part of the care we provide following the pilot, and we are also starting to discuss taking it a step further by creating our own CCC patient and staff choir, which could strike a real chord with our community.
"After all, Liverpool is the birthplace of some of the greatest bands in history, so why not let that rhythm run through CCC? Who knows, maybe our choir will be the next big thing to hit the charts!”
If you have an idea that will improve patient care, wellbeing or safety, or help staff in their roles, please contact Simon at simon.
