A Highgate nurse is leading a drive to improve the lives of cancer survivors following their treatment at a Camden hospital.

Katie Sutton, a former senior sister at University College London Hospital (UCLH), is about to launch a new post-treatment care programme for cancer survivors at the hospital.

The mother-of-one, of Orchard Road, Highgate, is in charge of the project at UCLH, in Euston Road, which is being rolled out to hospitals nationwide by charity Macmillan Cancer Support.

She said: “We know that there are lots of physical effects from chemotherapy and radiotherapy that can last a long time but there are lots of other things in people’s lives which you need to address.

“Such as getting people back to work and functioning in the life they had before treatment. We want to focus on the whole picture, not just the physical issues.”

Today, Macmillan celebrates its annual World’s Biggest Coffee Morning, asking people across the UK to host a coffee morning in aid of the charity, to support the new project and raise awareness of its aims.

Mrs Sutton, who is currently balancing her Macmillan role alongside study for a PhD in brain tumour treatment, is preparing to pilot the new scheme with a group of lymphoma, breast and prostate cancer patients.

She added: “Currently, we bring patients into a clinic a couple of times a year after treatment but what we want to do is look at better ways of supporting people after treatment.

“We plan to do that by making sure people are given all the necessary information and access to services they need. Rather than having regular follow-ups, we want people to be able to see us when they need to see us.”

The new national project is funded in part by retailer Marks & Spencer, which has raised £2.8million since 2010 for Macmillan services in communities across the UK.

Mrs Sutton said: “Projects like mine are happening across the country and have a huge impact on people’s experiences after they’ve finished treatment for cancer.

“People often think Macmillan just sponsor nurse roles but they also sponsor projects like mine which are about redesigning services for people.”

For more information about Macmillan Cancer Support or if you wish to donate, visit macmillan.org.uk