Here is a list of some of the acronyms and often used jargon to help you understand the different terms used by cancer support teams.
AA – Attendance Allowance.
Attendance Allowance is a non-contributory Social Security benefit paid to elderly disabled people in the United Kingdom. It was introduced in the National Insurance Act 1970. The benefit is intended to provide support for those who live independently but might otherwise need to go into residential care.
AP – Assistant Practitioner.
An assistant practitioner is a non-occupational specific role that has been developed to assist organisations to deliver high quality, patient-centred care in a variety of settings. Although they are not registered practitioners they have a high level of skill through their experience and training.
CNS – See Clinical Nurse Specialists
Clinical nurse specialists provide direct patient care, serve as expert consultants for nursing groups and take an active role in improving healthcare delivery systems.
DRI – Doncaster Royal Infirmary
HNA – see Personalised Care
Holistic Needs Assessment is an assessment and discussion you may have with someone from your healthcare team.
MDT – A multidisciplinary team
A multidisciplinary team is a diverse group of professionals working together to find the best course of care for your diagnosis.
PIP – Personal Independence Payment
Personal Independence Payment is a welfare benefit in the United Kingdom that is intended to help working age adults with the extra costs of living with a health condition or a disability. Please visit the Gov.uk site to find out more.
SPA – Single Point of access
A Single Point of Access (SPA) receives requests for nursing intervention for patients who are not able to get to their GP surgery and for consultations that are deemed appropriate to only be completed in the patient’s home.
CUP – Cancer of the Unknown Primary
Cancer of unknown primary (CUP) means that cancer spread has been found in your body (secondary cancer), but your doctors can’t find where the cancer started (the primary cancer). It is sometimes called unknown primary cancer or unknown primary tumour.
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