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£9 million extension of partnership to help
patients
A partnership to support cancer patients and their families to
deal with the financial, emotional and physical health effects of
the disease is to be extended with a further investment of £9
million.
The programme looks to ensure that everyone affected by cancer in
Scotland has access to a specialist key support worker. This
means clinicians have more time to offer direct medical and
clinical support to patients.
Over the next three years, it is anticipated there will be a
gradual increase in access to the service, with a minimum of
14,000 new cancer diagnoses accessing it each year.
The Scottish Government has been working in partnership with
Macmillan Cancer Support to improve the service offered to those
affected by cancer through the Transforming Cancer Care Programme
(TCC). This partnership - the first of its kind in the UK - began
under the 2016 Cancer Strategy and has seen £18 million invested
to date.
The Scottish Government has agreed to continue the partnership
and provide an additional three years of funding for the
Improving the Cancer Journey services. Each partner will invest
an additional £4.5 million.
Making the announcement ahead of a visit to NHS Forth Valley to
celebrate the NHS 75th anniversary, First Minister
said:
“Our recently published Cancer Strategy and Action Plan places an
emphasis on person-centred care for all and supporting the mental
health of cancer patients and their families.
“We have committed to launch the final Improving the Cancer
Journey service, in partnership with Macmillan, over the next
three years. We will also commit to spreading this successful
model to all areas in Scotland over the coming year.
“This will see an additional £9 million of joint investment and
ensure that everyone diagnosed with cancer in Scotland has access
to a key support worker. It will be of great benefit to patients
while also easing pressure on the NHS by freeing up clinicians.”
Janice Preston, Head of Partnerships at Macmillan Cancer Support
in Scotland, said:
“The Macmillan Improving the Cancer Journey (ICJ) Services are
available for anyone affected by cancer. By the end of 2024,
everyone in Scotland who needs support will have the chance to
talk to an ICJ practitioner who will help individuals to identify
their needs and access expert support, from benefits advice to
emotional support – whatever they might need.
“This is a unique service for people affected by cancer that
helps to reduce pressure on the NHS and is making a really
positive difference to people living with cancer and their
families. Since 2014, these vital, non-medical services have
already helped over 18,500 people and this money will mean they
can keep on transforming cancer support across Scotland.
“We are excited that, through our partnership with the Scottish
Government, another £9 million is being made available to ensure
people can continue to get this help for another three years.”
Background
- The roll out of the Improving the Cancer Journey model to
every Health & Social Care Partnership follows 4 key
principles:
o 100% of adults diagnosed with cancer, within
agreed criteria, will be invited or referred to an ICJ service to
speak to a specialist practitioner.
o An ICJ practitioner with the service user
will complete a Holistic Needs Assessment (HNA) and generate a
care plan to meet the needs identified.
o Local community assets will be identified and
utilised to support the service user in meeting their needs.
o The service user will be followed up by the
ICJ practitioner in the community to monitor progress with agreed
actions.
