18 February 2013
New one-to-one support service for people diagnosed with cancer is piloted in Bristol
The NHS in Bristol and Macmillan Cancer Support have joined
forces to pilot a new service for local people with cancer to
develop new ways of providing care and support for people during
and following their cancer treatment. This will enable aftercare to
be managed seamlessly between the hospital and the
community.
A total of six new Macmillan posts (nurses, a physiotherapist,
an Occupational therapist and cancer support workers) are working
across University Hospitals Bristol NHS Foundation Trust, North
Bristol NHS Trust, South Gloucestershire Community Health Services
and Bristol Community Health CIC. This new service is being funded
by Macmillan Cancer Support for two years and during this time it
will be available in certain areas of the city or for specific
groups of cancer patients.
The Bristol Macmillan One-to-One Support Service will help
people get information and support about living with cancer,
including rehabilitation support, benefits and grants, getting back
to work and details of other local groups and services that can
also offer support. It will also help people to recognise the signs
and symptoms of a recurrence of cancer, and will make sure that
people are able to access services appropriately.
Ruth Hendy, Lead Cancer Nurse at University Hospitals Bristol
NHS Foundation Trust, who has been leading this project for the NHS
said; "In Bristol, we know cancer patients can move regularly
between the community healthcare services and the different
hospitals. As local Bristol cancer services providers, we were
thrilled to have the opportunity to become a Macmillan One to One
Support Service pilot site, enabling us to work together across the
city to provide an integrated support service for Bristol cancer
patients.
Leanne Hall, Macmillan Complex Case Manager at Bristol Community
Health said, "When someone is living with a cancer diagnosis, they
can have many support and information needs and it can be difficult
to know where to turn for this additional help. We recognise the
importance of assessing and identifying these individual needs.
Through the Macmillan One to One Support Service we will be working
with doctors, nurses and other healthcare professionals such as
physiotherapists and occupational therapists across Bristol,
to offer additional support, information and signposting for people
as they move forward following their cancer diagnosis and
treatment."
Maggie Crowe, Macmillan Development Manager added: "Cancer is
the toughest fight that many of us can face so it is important that
cancer patients are given the right support at the right time. The
overall aim of the Macmillan One-to-One Support project is to
create a workforce to deliver the best care for people living with
and beyond cancer."
Macmillan Cancer Support is working with 16 partner
organisations across the UK to pilot and evaluate the One-to-One
Support project, as part of redesigning local care. It is only able
to pay for services such as Bristol Macmillan One-to-One Support
Service because of the generosity of its supporters.
If you are interested in being referred to the Bristol One to
One Support Service for help and support please contact your
existing hospital or community nurse/ doctor / healthcare
professional and they can discuss your referral with
you.
In March we are inviting local people affected by cancer to an
open day hosted by Macmillan to highlight some of the support on
offer in the community, including a range of talks and practical
demonstrations from professionals on how to cope with fatigue,
helping employers to support their workforce through cancer, the
benefits of physical activity, and expert financial advice
too.
The event takes place on Thursday 14th March at the
Bristol and Bath Science Park in Emersons Green. People are invited
to drop in anytime between 12pm - 7pm. For more information please
contact Area Fundraising Manager Kate Oldham by email at koldham@macmillan.org.uk.
If you have questions about cancer, or to find out more about
how you can help, please visit www.macmillan.org.uk or
call 0808 808 00 00.
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