Support for cancer patients – Hathaway Medical Centre

We recognise that this is usually a very difficult time for those with a new cancer diagnosis. Cancer may not just affect your physical health, it can impact other health conditions you may have as well as your mental health and wellbeing, and other areas of your life like work and relationships. While your hospital cancer team may still be very involved in your care, we would also like you to know that there are lots of community resources that you may find helpful, not just for your health, but for you as a whole. If you have queries or would like to speak to someone, for example to discuss aspects of your care or wellbeing relating to cancer such as the impact cancer or its treatment is having on you, please get in touch via a triage form found at www.hathawaysurgery.co.uk or by calling our telephone team on 01249 462775. Please note, queries relating to specialist or hospital care should be directed to your specialist team.

Please see below a list of services we recommend for support during a cancer diagnosis:

GENERAL

1. NHS WEBSITE: www.NHS.uk– Information on numerous health conditions, support available and finding local services.

2. MACMILLAN: www.Macmillan.org.uk– Information and support, online community and forums, financial and work-related support, and much more.

3. MACMILLAN SUPPORT LINE: 0808 808 0000- For those living with cancer and their loved ones. Free, confidential and open 7 days a week. For anything that matters to you, including money, work or treatment worries.

4. CANCER RESEARCH UK: www.CancerResearchUK.org or call 0808 800 4040- General and specific information on cancers as well as support for mental health, finances, community support, how to talk to children about cancer and much more.

5. LOOK GOOD FEEL BETTER: https://lookgoodfeelbetter.co.uk– Support, information and workshops to help manage things like hair loss and skin changes.

NON-MEDICAL SUPPORT (e.g. wellbeing, finances, work, transport)

1. LIVING WELL TEAM: Call 01249 470703 or Email bswicb.livingwell.hathaway@nhs.net– Support, advice and information regarding complex non-medical aspects of health, care and wellbeing including isolation, benefits and financial issues, transport issues, and providing links to local groups and activities including social prescribers and self-help programmes.

2. PENNY BROHN UK: www.PennyBrohn.org.uk 0303 3000 118- Health and wellbeing support and evidence-based lifestyle and complementary approaches for those at any point in their cancer journey

3. LIVE THROUGH THIS: https://livethroughthis.co.uk/patient-support– Support, information and advocacy for people of the LGBTIQ+ community.

4. CITIZENS ADVICE BUREAU: www.citizensadvice.org.uk/03444 111 444

5. NATIONAL DEBT LINE: www.nationaldebtline.org/0808 808 4000

6. GOV.UK: www.gov.uk– Information on work, housing, driving, finances and support you may be able to access.

MENTAL HEALTH

1. WE HEAR YOU: Free counselling, support and other services from local charity for patients or their loved ones including, families, friends and carers, affected or bereaved by cancer. Call 01373 455 255 or visit www.WeHearYou.org.uk or email info@WeHearYou.org.uk

2. NHS 111 SERVICE: Information and support. Call 111 or visit www.111.nhs.uk

3. SAMARITANS: To talk about anything that is important to you. Call 116 123 (open 24/7) or visit www.samaritans.org

4. MIND: Charity with a local branch in Wiltshire offering information and support on many mental health issues. Call 0300 123 3393 or visit www.MIND.org.uk

5. ANXIETY UK: Offers information and support, including a variety of psychological therapies. Call 03444 775 774 or visit www.AnxietyUK.org.uk

6. NO PANIC: Provides support from trained volunteers. Call 0300 772 9844 (10am-10pm) or visit www.NoPanic.org.uk

7. WILTSHIRE TALKING THERAPIES: (Formerly IAPT.) For free 1-to-1or online therapy and courses. Call 01380 731 335 or visit https://www.awp.nhs.uk/our-services/talking-therapies/talking-therapies-wiltshire

SUPPORT FOR CHILDREN WITH A PARENT WITH CANCER

1. RIP RAP: www.riprap.org– For teenagers.

2. HOPE SUPPORT SERVICES: www.HopeSupport.org.uk– For children and young people aged 11-25.

LOCAL SUPPORT

1. CANCER CARE MAP: www.CancerCareMap.org– Find services or groups in your area from lifestyle support such as physical activity to local support groups.

2. 5K YOUR WAY: https://5kyourway.org– Swindon & Marlborough-based community empowering people impacted by cancer to live actively, meeting monthly to complete as much or little of 5k as they wish.

3. AFFECTED BY CANCER (ABC): www.AffectedByCancer.co.uk or email abcswindon@yahoo.co.uk– Swindon-based community self-help support group for people directly or indirectly (carers, relatives, friends) affected by cancer.

4. RIDGEWAY BREAST CARE SUPPORT GROUP: www.Ridgewaybreastcaresupportgroup.org.uk– Swindon-based volunteer group supporting those affected by breast cancer.

5. BOWEL BUNCH: Email bowelbunchswindon@outlook.com– Swindon-based social group for those affected by bowel cancer.

6. SWINDON ILEOSTOMY ASSOCIATION: www.swindon-ia.org.uk– Charity providing information and support including meetings for people with stomas, and their families.

7. BLADDER CANCER SUPPORT GROUP: https://actionbladdercanceruk.org/find-a-support-group or email swindon@wessexbcs.org.uk or call 07568 551 200- Swindon-based support group, meetings attended by urology/oncology nurse specialist from GWH and topical talks.

8. HEADS 2GETHER: www.heads2gether.net or call helpline 0800 0234 550- Swindon-based support group with meetings.

9. OXFORD OESOPHAGEAL STOMACH ORGANISATION (OOSO): www.ooso.org.uk or email info@ooso.org.uk or call 07759 996 969- Supporting patients and families via zoom meetings and 1-to-1 phone support.

10. SWINDON PROSTATE CANCER SUPPORT GROUP: www.ProstateCancerSwindon.org.uk or email support@prostatecancerswindon.org.uk or call 01793 383 550- Open to patients, carers and families.