We are delighted to let you know of the exciting new development of the Macmillan Improving the Cancer Journey (ICJ) Service.
The Lanarkshire service began a small pilot with a specific cohort of patients attending a post treatment lung cancer clinic. This pilot allowed us to test our pathways and processes.
Following the success of the pilot the service is now able to start accepting referrals for anyone in Lanarkshire affected by cancer. As the service begins to get up and running, it will work with key partner agencies to ensure people affected by cancer get the help and support they need. This will include working closely with services including healthcare teams, welfare benefits, Citizens Advice and other third sector organisations.
Once the service has been fully operational for several months, there will be an official launch event planned for March 2023. This will raise awareness of the Macmillan ICJ service among the public, local media, other health and social care services and people affected by cancer, their families and carers.
The aim is that every person newly diagnosed with cancer in Lanarkshire will be contacted by the Macmillan ICJ service offering a session with a dedicated one-to-one key worker. The key worker will then help each person access a wide range of support, from benefits advice and emotional support to help at home or with other practical needs.
Anyone in the Lanarkshire area currently living with cancer can access the service by completing a simple referral form online via this link https://www.tfaforms.com/5052817, or by telephoning the ICJ central hub on 01698 201610. Family members and carers can also contact the team to arrange a session and access support.
People already have access to a wide range of support and services in Lanarkshire from the point of diagnosis. This includes support from the oncology team, including Clinical Nurse Specialists, and from community-based services including the Macmillan Cancer Information, Maggie’s and the Haven.
The new service will not change any existing direct support services provided by Macmillan, nor will it change any cancer services already provided by NHS Lanarkshire. It is a unique, non-clinical service for people affected by cancer, providing one to one, tailored support.
The ICJ key worker will have a meaningful conversation with the person affected by cancer, their carer or family member about what matters to them and then help them to gain access to or signpost them to appropriate support and resources already available in the local community.
When people affected by cancer access the ICJ, they will have a conversation about their needs and concerns. They will be offered a Holistic Needs Assessment (a conversation to understand what matters to the person) and based on this; an individual support plan will be developed to ensure people are offered all the support they need.
This might be financial information about benefits they may be entitled to or addressing feelings of isolation and loneliness by signposting to community organisations.
People can access the service at any point of their cancer journey. The ICJ key worker will offer the person a follow up conversation approximately three months after the initial session to discuss how they are feeling and offer further support.
The new Lanarkshire Improving the Cancer Journey Service is part of the Scottish Government’s Transforming Cancer Care programme which builds upon very successful projects Macmillan has already established around Scotland. Every Health and Social Care Partnership in Scotland will have its own ICJ service within the next two years. These will offer everyone affected by cancer a support worker who will carry out an assessment to understand their concerns, before enabling them to access expert support to meet their needs.
The Macmillan ICJ will build on existing links in local communities and make best use of available resources. The service will be developed and delivered in partnership with local third sector organisations already offering a range of support and services across the region.
If you have any questions relating to the new service and how it will impact, you or your team please email the ICJ team at icjadmin@vaslan.org.uk who will respond either to you directly or via your team.
