As you may have read in Anjula’s column, earlier this week Claire Westlake was invited on to BBC Radio 5 Live having been nominated as a “Cancer Star” by the widow of a former patient…

Gratitude and positive feedback are not uncommon for UHP colleagues but national recognition of appreciation and impact are not something that happens every day, as Claire explains

“When the Communications team first contacted me about the nomination, I was genuinely taken aback. Being invited onto national radio is not something that happens every day. As soon as I heard the nomination was from someone called Bernadette, I instantly knew the family. I remember all my patients, but some stay with you a little more than others, and Martin was definitely one of those people.

“I knew immediately that this was an opportunity to recognise our HPB team here at Derriford Hospital, as well as my fellow cancer nurse specialists (CNS), so accepting the invitation felt important. I was also really looking forward to hearing from Bernadette again. Our last contact had been shortly after Martin passed away in May 2025, and I remembered her strength—and the bond we shared over Martin’s unmistakable Royal Marine mentality.

“Listening to Nicky Campbell introduce the segment, I was incredibly nervous. I hadn’t seen or heard what Bernadette had written, and that uncertainty was daunting, even though the producer reassured me it was overwhelmingly positive.

“Being a Cancer CNS, it can sometimes be difficult to measure the impact we have on patients and their families. Our contacts are recorded, but the depth of those conversations and the outcomes aren’t always captured. Hearing first-hand the difference we made for Bernadette and Martin was deeply moving. As a former Royal Marine, Martin had high expectations and wasn’t shy about letting you know if standards slipped. I’m married to a former Royal Marine myself, so I had a good sense of how to approach our conversations—directly, honestly, and with respect.

“It was humbling to hear Bernadette’s kind words, and I realised this was a valuable opportunity to highlight the role of the Cancer CNS. As a team, we work hard to deliver the best care we can and to help patients and families navigate the often unfamiliar and overwhelming journey of a cancer diagnosis, treatment and beyond. We can’t change what our patients are going through, but we can make the experience better with expert knowledge on symptom management and psychological support.

“I am constantly inspired by the people I meet in this role. I draw strength from their strength, and knowing that I can make a difference—even when I cannot change the outcome. It is an absolute privilege to do this work, and I wouldn’t choose anything else.”

You can listen to the interview on BBC sounds until the end of February.