NEWS FEED
A partnership between Macmillan Cancer Support and Dorset County Hospital NHS Foundation Trust is bringing cancer information and support to local communities across Dorset.
Since the beginning of May, three libraries and a community hospital have been running weekly drop-in services for people affected by cancer. Responding to patient feedback, the information points will offer a range of information materials, as well as a trained volunteer or member of staff, who can provide a listening ear and direct attendees to other local services.
Macmillan patient information leader Jane Simkin has been working to develop and deliver these news services. She said: “Despite having a higher cancer incidence rate than the national average, Dorset has no cancer-specific health information or a support centre in the county. Evidence has shown that when people are well informed they can manage their diagnosis and treatment better, and it also aids empowerment and better outcomes.
“People often find that they require support and information once treatment has finished, but they are no longer attending regular hospital or clinical nurse specialist appointments, which can leave them feeling isolated and alone. We hope that these new sessions will help ensure everyone can feel supported during and after treatment, so no one in Dorset has to face cancer alone.”
The weekly sessions are accessible at the following times and locations:
Gillingham Library at Chantry Fields, Gillingham, SP8 4UA: Mondays 10am – 1pm
Blandford Community Hospital at Milldown Road, Blandford Forum, DT11 7DD: Mondays 2 – 5pm
Broadstone Library at 10 Story Lane, Broadstone, BH18 8EQ: Tuesdays 9.30am – 1pm
Kinson Library at Wimborne Road, Kinson, BH11 9AW: Tuesdays 2.30 – 6pm
The information sessions have been developed as a result of a partnership between Macmillan Cancer Support and Dorset County Hospital NHS Foundation Trust, with invaluable collaboration from each of the three library services (Dorset, Poole and Bournemouth Libraries), and Dorset Healthcare University NHS Foundation Trust.
To ensure the long life of the service, Jane is keen to find some local volunteers who can give a few hours a week to help. She says: “If anyone lives locally to any of the delivery sites, and could spare some time to help people affected by cancer in their community, I’d be really grateful to hear from them. Please do contact me on 07770967052 or email jane.simkin@dchft.nhs.uk.”
No one should face cancer alone. For support, information, or if you just want to chat, call Macmillan free on 0808 808 00 00 (Monday to Friday, 9am–8pm) or visit macmillan.org.uk.
