There were celebrations to mark to the successful first year of the Macmillan Improving the Cancer Journey (ICJ) service.
In its first 12 months, ICJ supported 1,660 people affected by cancer in Lanarkshire.
A celebratory event at Dalziel Park Hotel in Motherwell was attended by nearly 100 guests, including several service users and their families and colleagues from NHS Lanarkshire, the University Health and Social Care Partnerships and third sector organisations.
Paul O’Neill, Head of Health and Social Care, South Lanarkshire University Health and Social Care Partnership, said: “ICJ is embedded within the local communities and our main role is to support people and connect them with the appropriate services at the right time in their journey. The support offered includes emotional, financial, practical, spiritual and physical.
“The service is easy to access. Referrals can be made online or via telephone by anyone involved in the person’s care, including the individual themselves. Everyone referred to the service will be allocated a dedicated key worker, who uses a holistic needs assessment to assist the person to identify their main concerns and support them to navigate through systems and pathways that will provide them with the support they need.
“Our mission is ‘to work in the community – with the community’, ensuring that those in Lanarkshire affected by cancer receive information, support and care they need, efficiently, at the right time, in the right place and in the right way.
“It’s our vision that, by 2027, everyone in Lanarkshire diagnosed or directly affected by a cancer diagnosis is offered a personalised and supported conversation through a holistic needs assessment to identify and support their individual needs throughout their cancer journey.”
The anniversary event was hosted by Peter Igbinosa, from Move Forward Movement, which helps people by offering stress management and relationship building. Guest speakers included: John McPhelim, NHS Lanarkshire Senior Nurse Quality & Digital Health (Cancer Services); Charlie Duffin, from Voluntary Action South Lanarkshire; Lorraine Van Beuge, North Lanarkshire Disability Forum; Robyn Foster, HMP Shotts; and Donna Bruce, NHS Lanarkshire/Macmillan Cancer Support.
Service users and staff also shared their experiences via video (see YouTube links below).
Anyone in the Lanarkshire area currently living with cancer can access the service by completing a simple referral form online via this link https://vaslan.tfaforms.net/5111217, 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.
Videos
- East Kilbride Support Group
- East Kilbride Support Group – a client story
- A day in the life of an ICJ Care Coordinator
- ICJ year 1 calendar
