Personalised Care and Support is a holistic approach to patient centred care, supporting patients to live well, with and beyond their cancer diagnosis. The service supports patients to be more in control of their recovery and to live well.
As part of the cancer team at Weston General Hospital we have Macmillan Cancer Support Workers who work alongside our specialist nurses and consultants. They support people who have a cancer diagnosis, are currently undergoing treatment and those patients who are living with or beyond cancer.
Macmillan Cancer Support Workers actively work with patients and carers to identify and address any worries or concerns after a cancer diagnosis, helping individuals to take control of their care and to live well.
Support is available face-to-face, over the telephone or via email. Alternatively they can be found in our Macmillan Support Centre.
These are offered after an initial diagnosis and after an acute period of treatment has been completed, e.g. surgery, chemotherapy, radiotherapy. It is a time to talk with a Support Worker to discuss any concerns. The focus is the person as a whole not just their illness. Individuals decide how much information they would like to share about their current situation and with the support of the support worker a care plan is agreed.
The following concerns are examples of what might be discussed in an HNA :
Practical e.g. money, work or household tasks
Family/Relationship e.g. changes in your relationships
Emotional e.g. depression, fears, worry, anger or anxiety
Spiritual/Religious e.g. loss of faith, loss of meaning or purpose
Physical e.g. appearance, eating, fatigue
Other concerns e.g. advice on healthy lifestyle changes, such as stopping smoking, diet and cutting down on alcohol
Whether you are newly diagnosed or coming to the end of your treatment, the UHBW Cancer Support Workers team are here to provide information and support for patients, carers and their families.
Have you recently been diagnosed with cancer? Led by our cancer support workers, the first steps sessions focus on providing information and advice on promoting health and wellbeing thoughout your treatment.
Here are a series of short video clips created by the team on information and support which you may find helpful:
In the absence of face to face wellbeing events, these films are a new way for us to share information with you. Therefore your feedback would be greatly appreciated in order to ensure we are giving you the information you need to support you to live well with and beyond your cancer diagnosis. Please complete our short survey.
The following videos and links also provide further information to support understanding, health and wellbeing
If you coming to the end of your treatment, the Next Steps session could be for you. Next Steps provides information and advice for patients, carers and family members to help maximise your health and wellbeing following cancer treatment.
This session and has been developed specifically for people living with advanced cancer. The focus is on your quality of life and what actions you can take.
Topics include:
· Welcome
· Managing Nutritional Needs
· Planning Ahead
· Managing Fatigue
· Community Support
· Developing your Resilience
In the absence of face to face wellbeing events, these films are a new way for us to share information with you. Therefore your feedback would be greatly appreciated in order to ensure we are giving you the information you need to support you to live well with your cancer diagnosis. Please complete our short survey.
For information on Palliative and Supportive Care please see Marie Curie website link below.
https://www.mariecurie.org.uk/help/support/terminal-illness
Other Useful information can be found on:
https://www.westonhospicecare.org.uk/
Contacts:
Macmillan Support Workers
Macmillan Support Centre
First Floor
Weston General Hospital
Grange Road, Uphill
Weston super Mare
North Somerset
BS23 4TQ
Tel: 01934 881078 / 881079
Email: MacmillanSupportCentreWGH@uhbw.nhs.uk
Twitter: @WghWell