A new information and support pod has officially opened at Cumberland Infirmary to provide vital assistance to anyone affected by cancer across north Cumbria.
Macmillan Cancer Support has invested £35,000 on the new pod, which is located at the hospital’s main entrance on Newtown Road, and to also revamp the quiet room at the hospital.
The ‘new look’ pod area, which provides much easier access for patients, has now opened its doors to the public.
The Macmillan Information and Support Service, which first launched in 2003, helps around 400 people affected by cancer every year.
New volunteers are currently being recruited to help run the service, and enable the pod to open Monday to Friday, between 9am and 5pm, to provide practical, physical, financial and emotional support to local residents living with cancer. However, if anyone is planning on making a special journey to visit the pod it is recommended to phone first to check that someone is available. Alternatively, leaflets can also be accessed out-of-hours via a QR code board on the pod’s exterior.
Tina Thompson, Macmillan’s Partnership Manager for the North East and North Cumbria, explains: “Our aim is to ensure that anyone affected by cancer across north Cumbria, including their family and carers, will have access to the right information and support they need throughout their cancer journey, so that they can make the best decisions for themselves about their treatment and their lives.
“As the service develops there will be a team of trained volunteers on hand to answer any questions, lend a listening ear and provide vital information and support on everything from local support groups to help with any financial problems a cancer diagnosis can create. All visitors to the centre will be able to access booklets, leaflets and other sources of information, free of charge.”
Kiyla Murray, Lead Cancer Nurse at NCIC, said: “The Macmillan pod is a fantastic addition to the cancer services already provided at North Cumbria Integrated Care. The centre will provide a friendly environment for patients, carers and family members. A new quiet room will also be available to provide a private consultation area.
“With addition to existing information leaflets the centre will provide support and access to QR code information to enhance digital access. Information support workers and volunteers will be available to offer guidance and signpost service users to other local support services.”
Members of Macmillan’s Information and Support Service team will run the centre, alongside several trained volunteers. Apply to become a Macmillan Support volunteer.
They will signpost anyone with a cancer diagnosis, or who is concerned about cancer, including family, friends and carers, as well as clinicians and health care professionals, to other local support services and provide a facility to help people to live with, and beyond, cancer.
Hilary Kendal, Macmillan’s Cancer Information and Support Service Manager based at the new pod, added: “Being diagnosed with cancer can affect so many different areas of your life, from relationships to finances. So, it’s fantastic to officially open the new information pod and continue the great service we provide, which has such a positive impact on the local community right across north Cumbria.
“The new Macmillan Cancer Information and Support Service pod is here to support people with all those non-clinical needs, to enable them to live well with cancer, not just survive. Anyone with any questions or concerns about cancer can just drop in, no appointment needed, and speak to our team, who are here to provide vital support to people when they need it most.”
Anyone affected by cancer can contact the centre on 01228 814283 / 07721 236489 (answer phone available) or email cancerinformation@ncic.nhs.uk, Monday to Friday (excluding Bank Holidays).
Macmillan’s national support line is also available on 0808 808 00 00, seven days a week (8am – 8pm).