Care and help when it’s needed the most

THE successes of an Oldham cancer support team will be shared with national health services as it hosts a “Learn and Share” conference next week.

Oldham Macmillan 1-1 Support Service, provided by Pennine Care NHS Foundation Trust, has been chosen by Macmillan Cancer Support to host the event in Manchester on Wednesday.

Funded by Macmillan Cancer Support, the service ensures people with the disease receive care, information, support and aftercare.

The 1-1 service began in April, 2013, as a two-year pilot project and available to patients of 10 GP practices in the borough.

The success of the pilot project led to its extension, meaning the service will operate until April next year and is available to anyone living in the borough or registered with any Oldham GP.

Tracy Kelly, Oldham Macmillan 1-1 clinical co-ordinator for Pennine Care, said: “Our service has really developed throughout the duration of the pilot, allowing us to continuously improve the care provided to local people affected by cancer.

“The Learn and Share event is a great opportunity to share what we’ve learnt with other health professionals and promote some of the excellent work going on to support people living with and beyond cancer, including patients, carers, their families and friends.”

The team of experienced health care professionals support individuals, and their carers, family and friends, to understand their medical condition and be involved in treatment and care, which helps to build confidence and ensure they have the best quality of life possible.

They also offer care and information in relation to people’s individual physical, emotional, financial, psychological, social and spiritual needs and, as a community-based service, delivers this support closer to home.

This involves working closely with existing hospital-based and other specialist cancer services and referring or signposting people to local and national cancer support services, where required.

Other pilot Macmillan schemes from across the country and local health care professionals are due to attend.

People who are affected by cancer and are living in Oldham or are registered with a GP in the borough can also get in touch with the team by calling 0161-621 7684.

People can also email oldham.macmillansupport@nhs.net or write to: Macmillan 1-1 Support Team, Royton Health and Wellbeing Centre, Park Street, Royton, OL2 6QW.