A new service offering people living with cancer and their families emotional, practical and financial support has been formally launched in the Borders.
Delivered by Macmillan and the Scottish Borders Health and Social Care Partnership, the Improving the Cancer Journey (ICJ) service will provide one to one, tailored support for people affected by cancer. It is already available in many parts of Scotland, and now the people of the Borders will be able to experience its positive impacts.
In the Borders there are approximately 70 people diagnosed with cancer each month, and an estimated 5,900 people living with cancer. By 2030, one in two of us can expect to be diagnosed with cancer at some point in our lives.
The ICJ service supports the non-medical needs of people with a new cancer diagnosis through a holistic needs assessment and care planning process. The service is free and available to anyone living in the Borders who is newly diagnosed with cancer, whether they are receiving their treatment locally, at the Western General in Edinburgh or elsewhere.
Staff from the ICJ team will meet with people face to face in a non-clinical setting that is comfortable for them or online, making referrals to sources of support in their local community for their non-medical needs and providing ongoing support for any new concerns that may arise throughout the cancer journey.
Examples of the type of issues the team can help with include emotional concerns, financial/money worries and benefits advice, housing, caring responsibilities, reducing feelings of isolation and loneliness, physical concerns, complementary therapies and day to day practical issues.
Councillor Tom Weatherston, Executive Member for Social Work and Inclusion
“The Health and Social Care Partnership is committed to helping people to live their lives to the full by delivering seamless services that place their needs at the heart of everything we do. As part of that commitment, we wanted to make sure we were providing the most effective support we could for people diagnosed with cancer and their family/carers.
“We were aware of how effective the ICJ model was proving elsewhere in Scotland and now, thanks to a considerable amount of work by Partnership staff and our Macmillan colleagues, I am delighted that we are able to formally launch a service here in the Borders.
“Not only will our new ICJ service compliment and improve our existing pathways of care and support, it will also provide the opportunity for those affected to explore what matters most to them and then access the advice, information and support they need.
“It was important to us that the ICJ service was created with the involvement of people affected by cancer and their family/carers, and we engaged with them throughout the development process so that their voices could be heard and their views considered. The feedback we have received from those who have started to access support already has been extremely positive and I have no doubt this will continue as more people become aware of the service and all the benefits it can provide.”
Gordon McLean, Devolved Nations Manager and Nations Lead (Scotland) for Macmillan
“Cancer has a huge impact on every aspect of people's lives and many people tell us they don't know where to turn for help. This new service should make sure everyone with cancer and their families and carers in the Borders have someone to call on for help.
“ICJ workers will help individuals to identify their needs and access expert support, from practical advice to emotional support – whatever they might need. We hope this service will transform cancer support in the Borders.
“It’s thanks to the continued support from people locally, who fundraise for us and donate so generously, that we are able to fund this vital new service. With their help we can make a huge difference to the lives of people affected by cancer in the Borders.”
More information
To find out more about the service, including how to make a referral, visit: www.scotborders.gov.uk/icj. Anyone can refer a person to the service with self-referrals also accepted.
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