Simon Bolton joins Mesothelioma UK and will be based at Calderdale and Huddersfield NHS Foundation Trust
National asbestos-related cancer charity, Mesothelioma UK has appointed Simon Bolton as a new Clinical Nurse Specialist at Calderdale and Huddersfield NHS Foundation Trust. Simon will provide advice, care and support, improving access to treatment for mesothelioma patients across North and West Yorkshire.
Mesothelioma is an asbestos-related cancer and in his new role, Simon will be responsible for liaising with multi-disciplinary teams across seven Yorkshire hospitals, focusing on increasing information and access to clinical trials across the UK, and co-ordinating the MESothelioma Support Yorkshire (MESSY) group for mesothelioma patients and carers.
Previously, Simon has worked as a Mesothelioma Clinical Nurse Specialist at Harrogate District Hospital and has also worked for the Harrogate and District NHS Foundation Trust as a lung cancer nurse specialist for over nine years.
Having qualified in 1995, Simon spent a couple of years at St. James’s Hospital working in cardiology, general medicine and coronary care. In 1997, he moved into cancer nursing on a busy medical oncology unit in Leeds before becoming Night Nurse Practitioner at Cookridge Hospital (Leeds Cancer Centre at the time). Simon then took on his first lung cancer role with Mid Yorks Hospitals NHS Trust where he was in post for seven years.
The new full-time role is funded by Mesothelioma UK, with support from legal firms including The Asbestos Law Partnership, Irwin Mitchell, Leigh Day, Slater and Gordon, and Thompsons Solicitors.
Commenting on his new role, Simon Bolton said: “It’s fantastic to be back in the Mesothelioma UK team, raising awareness of the disease, and supporting patients and their families throughout their treatment and care journey.”
Lorraine Creech, Head of Nursing at Mesothelioma UK added: “I am delighted to welcome Simon back to this new Mesothelioma UK Clinical Nurse Specialist role, based at Calderdale and Huddersfield NHS Foundation Trust. The Trust is part of the West Yorkshire and Harrogate Cancer Alliance and I know that Simon has the commitment to work collaboratively to focus on, and to improve the care experience, access to clinical trials and availability services for people with mesothelioma across the region.
“Simon has a wealth of expertise and experience in caring for people with mesothelioma, and in offering support to their families and carers. He has a proven track record as an established and respected mesothelioma nurse locally, regionally and nationally. Mesothelioma UK is proud to fund this role and grateful to all those who have supported it.”
Dr Rehan Naseer, Clinical Director Medical Specialities and Lung Cancer Lead Respiratory Physician at Calderdale and Huddersfield NHS Foundation Trust added: “At CHFT we have been given a wonderful opportunity to support and host the role of a regional Mesothelioma UK Nurse. I would like to welcome Simon Bolton to the trust and have no doubt that he will further enhance our thoracic malignancy service. The role will help raise awareness of mesothelioma and help support patients and their families throughout west Yorkshire and Harrogate. Simon has a wealth of experience in mesothelioma including information and knowledge about the latest clinical trials for mesothelioma patients and I look forward to working with him.”
Andy Turner, Chair of local support group, SARAG, added: “Yorkshire and Humberside Asbestos Victims Support Group are delighted that Simon Bolton will be working as the Mesothelioma Nurse Specialist in our region. We are looking forward to working closely with Simon and Mesothelioma UK to ensure that people affected by mesothelioma are offered the best support available.”
Notes to editors:
Additional quotes from legal firms supporting Simon Bolton’s new role include:
Supporting this post, Fozia Hussain, partner at Asbestos Law Partnership and a trustee of the John Pickering and Partners Charitable Trust said: “It’s fantastic to have someone with Simon’s dedication, years of experience and expertise supporting mesothelioma patients and their families in our area.”
Ian Toft, partner and specialist asbestos-related disease lawyer at Irwin Mitchell, said: “We are delighted to hear of Simon’s appointment with Mesothelioma UK. More than 100 people are diagnosed with mesothelioma in West, North and East Yorkshire every year, so it is vital for the charity to have a specialist nurse and with over 15 years of experience working with mesothelioma patients across the region, Simon will undoubtedly be a valuable addition to the team. Through our work we understand the need for such a role and we are happy to support it by helping to provide funding and wishing Simon the best of luck in his new position.”
Daniel Easton, Partner at Leigh Day said: “Leigh Day is delighted to be able to support Simon Bolton as Mesothelioma UK Nurse for the West Yorkshire Cancer Alliance. Having been a committed supporter of Mesothelioma UK for many years, we know the fantastic service which the Mesothelioma UK nurses provide and how vital they are to communities affected by this terrible disease. West Yorkshire has a tragic history of being affected by asbestos with industries like the J W Roberts factory in Armley and it is essential that people who develop asbestos illnesses get the right support.”
Madelene Holdsworth, Senior Practice Director for industrial disease, military law and medical negligence at Slater and Gordon said: “Simon has worked tirelessly raising awareness of mesothelioma and the dangers of asbestos. He is a key member of the Mesothelioma UK nursing team. Having witnessed first-hand the support Simon provides to patients and their families, we are delighted to be a small part of what enables Simon to continue his work throughout the county.”
Helen Tomlin, asbestos specialist at Thompsons Solicitors’ Leeds office, said: “For decades, we have seen first-hand how asbestos devastates the lives of families across the region. It is a privilege to be involved in this initiative, helping improve vital services for mesothelioma patients and their loved ones. We’re looking forward to seeing Simon build on the sterling efforts of the specialist lung cancer nurses and to drive further access to this crucial support service across our region.”
