Local Support Information When you have just been told you have cancer there is no right or wrong way to react. Your feelings are likely to change over time. You may feel you don t know what to expect or who to turn to. It is important to remember that there is help available for people with cancer and those caring for them. This leaflet will give you some general contacts and information which you or a family member may find useful now or in the future. It will guide you to what further support is available across Highland. Waiting to have a test or get the results is often a tense time. For some people getting information is a way of coping. Receiving the right information is essential to help you make the choices that best suit you. There is a team of staff in hospital and in the community to help you understand your cancer and any treatments you need. Do not be afraid to ask questions. No question is too small or silly. Remember your own General Practitioner (GP) is a good source of information. GPs are responsible for all aspects of your medical care at home. They should coordinate the help you want throughout your treatment and beyond. They can arrange help from other professionals such as the cancer nursing team. 1
You can get support from: 1. Cancer nursing team sometimes called Macmillan Nurses or Clinical Nurse Specialists (CNS) These are qualified nurses based in both the hospital and community. They are experts in cancer care for all cancer patients and families. They offer support to you at any stage of your illness, from diagnosis onwards. If you have not already been given a named, local, specialist cancer nurse you can request this through your GP, hospital consultant, ward staff or clinic staff. 2. Macmillan Citizens Advice Bureau: Mon-Fri 9am-5pm At this time you may need extra help to sort out any money or job worries. The Macmillan CAB service is based at Raigmore Hospital but covers the whole of the Highlands and Western Isles. Having cancer can be expensive in ways you may never have expected. You may have to pay for prescriptions, a special diet, child care or travel. You can get advice on many issues including benefits, employment, housing, debt, holiday insurance and community care issues from: Macmillan CAB, Raigmore Hospital, Old Perth Road, Inverness IV2 3UJ Telephone: 01463 706178 Email: macmillan.macmillancab@virgin.net 2
3. Maggie s Highlands: Mon-Fri 9am-5pm Maggie s Centres are for anybody who has, or who has had cancer. They are also for their families, their friends and their carers. The aim of Maggie s Centres is to support people with cancer to be as healthy in mind and body as possible. They can help you to make your own contribution to your medical treatment and recovery. Maggie s offer cancer information and courses in support, relaxation and stress management or you can just drop-in. Raigmore Hospital, Old Perth Road, Inverness IV2 3UJ Telephone: 01463 706306; Website: www.maggiescentres.org 4. Help with additional costs As a cancer patient in Highland you may get help with costs of travelling to and from hospital and car parking. To find out if you qualify you can speak to a member of the healthcare team or the Macmillan CAB. 5. NHS Highland Health Information Point Mon-Thurs 10am-4pm Fri 10am-1pm If you are looking for a contact for your local cancer nursing team or general health information the resources staff can help, but they do not give medical advice. Coffee Bar, Outpatients, Raigmore Hospital, Old Perth Road, Inverness IV2 3UJ Lo-call 0845 757 3077 3
6. NHS 24-08454 24 24 24 Textphone 18001 08454 24 24 24 NHS 24 is a confidential telephone advice and information service available across Scotland. You can call on 08454 24 24 24 when: you, or someone you care for, is unwell and you feel it can t wait until your GP surgery re-opens, you are looking for more information about a health matter or local healthcare services. 7. Further information Patients have told us about some contacts and websites they have found useful. Some support organisations have daytime freephone numbers. Remember if you don t have access to the internet at home all local Highland libraries and Maggie s have computers and staff on hand to help. Cancerbackup provides a helpline and an information service for people with cancer, their families and friends. The helpline is staffed by specialist cancer nurses. Mon-Fri 9am-8pm Freephone helpline 0808 800 1234 Website: www.cancerbackup.org.uk Macmillan Cancer Support provides practical, medical, emotional and financial support and work for better cancer care. Mon Fri 9am-6pm Freephone helpline 0808 808 2020 Website: www.macmillan.org.uk; Textphone 0808 808 0121 If you are between 12 and 21 there is also the Macmillan Youthline. The helpline has people who can give information and support if you have any questions or concerns about cancer. Mon-Fri 9am-10pm Freephone 0808 808 0800 Website: www.macmillan.org.uk/whybother/index.html 4
7 continued CancerHelp UK is part of Cancer Research UK. They provide a helpline and an information service for people with cancer, their families and friends. The helpline is staffed by specialist cancer nurses. Mon-Fri 9am-5pm Freephone 0808 800 4040 Website: www.cancerhelp.org.uk BBC Cancer Guide Website provides a clear information guide. www.bbc.co.uk/health/conditions/cancer/ DIPEx is a website made up of interviews with people who may have gone through the same health and illness experience. You can watch, listen to or read their interviews and learn more about the illness and its treatments. Website: www.dipex.org 8. Comments and concerns NHS Highland aims to provide high quality care to all patients. If you have a concern please speak to a member of staff. If you are still not satisfied you can contact: NHS Highland Complaints Team, PO Box 5713, Inverness IV1 9AQ; Telephone: 01463 705997; Fax: 01463 711322 Email: complaints.mailbox@haht.scot.nhs.uk The information in this leaflet can be provided in different formats. Ask the person who gave you this leaflet for help.!" 5