A season of excellence: Celebrating the latest achievements in Clinical Service Excellence Programme (CSEP) Awards
The Clinical Service Excellence Programme (CSEP) recognises hospitals that go above and beyond in advancing myeloma care and delivering compassionate, personalised support to patients.
Since our last update in October, we’re delighted to share that seven more hospitals have achieved accreditation, with a further three successfully reaccrediting. Queen’s Hospital Burton, Burton on Trent, is also the first CSEP hospital to reach a new milestone, achieving reaccreditation for the second time.
Our mission is to champion high-quality, patient-centred myeloma care – wherever patients live, and wherever your hospital is based in the UK. Take the next step towards celebrating your excellence by completing a short CSEP application form or contacting the team at CSEP@myeloma.org.uk.
The latest hospitals to receive accreditation are Forth Valley Royal Hospital, Eastbourne District General Hospital and Conquest Hospital, Maidstone and Tunbridge Wells Hospitals, Derriford Hospital, and Royal Surrey County Hospital.
We also celebrate the continued excellence of Dorset County Hospital, Royal Derby Hospital and Queen’s Hospital Burton as they achieve their reaccreditation.
Forth Valley Royal Hospital, Stirling
The team at Forth Valley Hospital delivers a comprehensive, timely, and compassionate service, as reflected in Patient Experience Survey results showing clear communication, shared decision-making, and respect for patients and families.
A standout feature is the multidisciplinary approach, which includes physiotherapy and occupational therapy professionals providing inpatient and outpatient support through the Rehabilitation and Assessment in the Community and Home (ReACH) and Hospital at Home services. The administrative team also plays a vital role, ensuring clinic letters reach GPs – often on the same day – helping maintain seamless care.
Eastbourne District General Hospital and Conquest Hospital, Eastbourne
Eastbourne District General Hospital and Conquest Hospital, both of East Sussex Healthcare NHS Trust (ESHT), have successfully accredited alongside one another. The Trust was amongst the first in the UK to offer bispecific treatments in 2022.
Thanks to the proactive work of Trust colleagues in developing a dedicated bispecific antibody service, they have been able to offer their patients the opportunity to access these novel treatments sooner and closer to home.
This early adoption also provided valuable experience for colleagues in delivering bispecific antibodies and managing side effects within a district general hospital setting. These insights have been shared through publications in the British Journal of Haematology and presentations at UKMS and UKMRA meetings, supporting other hospitals in setting up similar services. The team, active across both sites, also currently runs three bispecific antibody clinical trials, ensuring patients have access to cutting-edge, potentially life-prolonging treatments.
Maidstone Hospital and Tunbridge Wells Hospital
Two hospitals from the Maidstone and Tunbridge Wells NHS Trust have also achieved accreditation together. At Maidstone Hospital and Tunbridge Wells Hospital, one of the key strengths of their service is the psychological support offered.
Patients’ psychological needs are assessed regularly at clinic appointments, with referrals for further support made when needed.
The hospitals offer an excellent oncology counselling service and Maidstone has a clinical psychologist on site.
For patients undergoing stem cell transplantation (SCT), they are offered additional support by colleagues at King’s College Hospital, helping them cope with the challenges of intensive treatment.
Derriford Hospital, Plymouth
Derriford Hospital have an extensive clinical trial portfolio, recruiting patients from across Devon and Cornwall. Dr Hannah Hunter, Consultant Haematologist, has led over 30 trials and runs a dedicated weekly research clinic at the hospital.
With research such a defining feature of this service, all patients are considered for trials at diagnosis or relapse, which ensures access to the latest treatments. Patients are also kept informed of trial outcomes, reinforcing the team’s patient-focused approach.
The nurse specialist team also runs an annual health and wellbeing event for haematology patients, families, and friends. Held at a local hotel, this event brings together transplant nurses, dietitians, the Mustard Tree Macmillan Support Centre (who provide a comfortable environment for patients, relatives and carers to access a range of support), local support groups, and organisations such as Myeloma UK and Age UK. It provides a relaxed environment for attendees to ask questions, share experiences, and access valuable support.
Royal Surrey County Hospital, Guildford
Education is a cornerstone of this team’s work. At Royal Surrey County Hospital, haematology nurses receive weekly teaching and bi-annual SACT updates to maintain high standards of care.
The team also delivers targeted education sessions to other specialties, including medicine, geriatrics, anaesthetics, and emergency medicine. These learning opportunities cover a range of topics such as bispecific antibodies and managing cytokine release syndrome (CRS) and immune effector cell-associated neurotoxicity syndrome (ICANS).
Beyond the hospital, they’ve developed the Guildford and Waverley referral pathway for suspected myeloma and MGUS and run educational days for local GPs to strengthen understanding and improve patient care across the region.
Dorset County Hospital, Dorchester
The exceptional support offered to patients by Dorset County Hospital’s Senior Support Worker is a clear strength in their service. This role provides valuable support, addressing patients’ holistic needs and liaises closely with local myeloma support group.
We were also impressed by the team’s engagement with local GPs. The consultant haematologist at Dorset gives educational sessions at local GP surgeries to help increase understanding and awareness of myeloma in primary care.
Royal Derby Hospital
Providing individualised holistic care remains a key focus at Royal Derby Hospital. They have taken proactive steps to address sexual dysfunction, a common but often overlooked late effect of myeloma treatment.
The team recently conducted an audit to assess its frequency and severity among patients and are now working with urology nurses to develop a protocol that will provide targeted support for those affected.
Queen’s Hospital Burton, Burton on Trent
As a smaller site, the team at Queen’s Hospital Burton continue to build close, meaningful relationships with patients, ensuring personalised care and outstanding continuity throughout treatment.
They have successfully introduced video consultations via the Attend Anywhere platform, improving accessibility and flexibility.
Offered to new patients once care is established, this approach provides a more personal alternative to phone calls.
Patients consistently report high satisfaction, valuing the convenience and face-to-face interaction in a virtual setting.
Get involved
To view all participating hospitals and find out more about CSEP, please visit our CSEP pages or email CSEP@myeloma.org.uk.
