A CANCER physiotherapist has been shortlisted for an Macmillan excellence award.

Kate Baker has been nominated by her colleagues in the service improvement excellence award category of the Macmillan excellence awards.

Ms Baker, of Penarth, previously applied for a grant to be trained in acupuncture and now uses it as a treatment for people suffering with breast cancer.

Ms Baker, who is based at Velindre Cancer Centre in Cardiff, said: "Macmillan’s training, resources and educational funding have enabled me to become a better clinician.

"That has a knock-on effect on what I can provide for my patients. It helps them to live well with their cancer."

Susan Morris, head of services for Macmillan Cancer Support in Wales, added: "It is great that Kate’s work is being recognised by the prestigious Macmillan excellence awards and we wish her well at the awards ceremony.

"She set about finding a way that she could personally help breast cancer patients better manage their treatment symptoms by training in acupuncture and has since supported her team in training in the therapy too.

"The treatment is making a real difference in the lives of cancer patients and we hope other Macmillan professionals will be inspired by Kate’s story so that cancer patients across the country can feel the benefits during their treatment."

The award ceremony will be held in Birmingham tonight (Thursday, November 17).