Friday, 04 February 2022

Marking World Cancer Day with Cancer Support for All Southport and Formby Residents

This World Cancer Day, we’re celebrating Southport and Formby Primary Care Network’s (PCN) partnership with Southport Macmillan Information and Support Centre. With the PCN funding additional staff for the support centre, they have been able to start delivering on their long term ambition of making a universal offer of support to everyone in the area with a new cancer diagnosis.

Staff at Southport Macmillan Information and Support Centre have been working closely with GP practices in Southport and Formby to put a referral pathway in place. Once a patient with a new cancer diagnosis has been referred directly to the team, they will make contact with the patient to explain the support that they can offer, which includes benefits advice, help completing forms, support obtaining a blue badge and onward referrals, for example to Occupational Therapy, Social Services, dietitians and support for carers, to name but a few.

Tanya Mulvey, Southport Macmillan Centre Manager, said: “As a service we offer emotional support and have an in-house counselling service. Being diagnosed with cancer is often a life changing experience and we have found that patients appreciate the opportunity to just talk to someone about their fears for the future and what treatments may lay ahead, and how they will cope with them.”

Having opened in January 2012, the centre is celebrating its 10th birthday this year, with lots of exciting plans coming up throughout 2022 (pandemic permitting). The Southport and Formby PCN are thrilled to be able to support this wonderful centre for the benefit of all cancer patients in the local area.

Did you know that Friday 4th March is World Cancer Day? You can find out lots of useful information and support on the World Cancer Day and MacMillan Support websites.