A new information service was launched at a special Macmillan coffee morning on 29 September by Huntingdon Deputy Mayor, Cllr Bill Hensley, at the Woodlands Centre, Hinchingbrooke Hospital.
The new service has been developed and is offered face to face by trained volunteers. It covers a range of topics including benefits/welfare advice, carer issues, dietary advice, financial support, end of life care, complementary therapies and local information and support.
The service is run by Eileen Murphy, Survivorship Project Manager, with a team of eight volunteers. Eileen and the volunteer managers are currently actively recruiting more volunteers to be able to offer a wider service which will include visiting wards. Anyone who is affected by any aspect of cancer is welcome to use the new information service.
Eileen says: “When people are diagnosed with cancer they have all sorts of questions, not all of them about the disease. Because cancer affects every aspect of a person’s life, the information patients and families need can be very diverse”.
Sally Picken, Macmillan Partnership Manager said: "It's a fantastic service which will help people in Huntingdon and the surrounding areas with any cancer-related concerns by offering relevant advice and information to all those affected by cancer."
The team is based in the Information Office in the reception area of Woodlands on most mornings where it can assess patients’ information needs and help them get the advice they need. A Macmillan welfare benefits advisor is soon to be appointed to complement the team further.
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