Macmillan Health and Wellbeing Service

The South Eastern Health & Social Care Trust is committed to ensuring that people affected by cancer have access to high quality information and support. Working in partnership with Macmillan Cancer Support we have developed the Macmillan Health and Wellbeing Service to ensure this is the case.

This service offers information and support to all those affected by cancer, from those with concerns relating to diagnosis or those caring for someone with cancer to those who just wish to know more about how to reduce their risk.

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• Drop-In Service

  A drop-in service is open at the centre on Wednesday mornings from 9.30am – 12.00noon and on Tuesday and Thursday afternoons from 2.00pm – 4.00pm (bank holidays excluded). People are welcome to call in anytime, during these hours, no appointment necessary.

  There is also an Information Zone (Monday – Friday 9.00am – 5.00pm). It holds a selection of high quality information in a variety of different formats and people are welcome to visit the area and help themselves to whatever information they require.  Smaller Information Zones can be found in the Outpatient Departments within Lagan Valley, Downe, Ulster and Ards Community Hospitals and once again people are welcome to visit these areas and help themselves to the information they need.

  The service can also refer you to a variety of community based supportive sessions covering a range of the issues affecting those living with and beyond cancer. The team is happy to direct people and their families to those sessions which they may find most useful.

• Types of Information and Support Available

  The Macmillan Health and Wellbeing Service aims to provide information and support on any of the issues that someone must deal with whilst affected by cancer. The list below gives an indication of some of the areas we can help with but is not exhaustive.

  About Your Type of Cancer

  • Information about the type of cancer you have
  • Useful websites
  • Local and regional organisations that you can get information and support from

   Living With and After Cancer

  • Talking about cancer
  • Talking with children about cancer
  • Support for children
  • Dealing with late effects such as fatigue or emotions
  • Living with cancer
  • Dealing with any changes to your body or appearance
  • Counselling
  • Relationships and sexuality issues
  • Complementary therapies
  • Spiritual and/or religious support
  • Getting back to ‘normal’
  • Physical activity and cancer
  • Diet and Cancer
  • Local and regional organisations that you can get information and support from

   Practical Issues

  • Finance e.g. insurances, benefits, grants and advice
  • Travel, transport and maps
  • Information on travel insurance
  • How to care for someone with cancer
  • Factors that might prevent you from driving
  • Work
  • Help at home
  • Getting a temporary wheelchair if you need one
  • Getting oxygen if you need it
  • Making changes to your home to meet your needs
  • How to talk to your health care professional
  • Hospital discharge
  • Practical ways to help manage changes to your appearance: wigs, clothing, headwear
  • Accessing your medical records
  • How care is provided in the hospital and community settings
  • Who to contact for advice if you think you are being discriminated against because of your cancer
  • Making a will

  Medical Information

  • Tests, treatments and care
  • Questions you may want to ask
  • Agreeing to have tests and treatments (consent)
  • Clinical trials
  • What different staff do
  • What the medical words mean
  • How cancer services are organised
  • Causes of cancer

  Health Promotion

  • How to reduce risk of developing cancer
  • How to spot the signs and symptoms of cancer
  • Local screening for cancer

  Much of our information is available in different languages and formats.

  Click here for more information as well as where the service is located.

• Courses and Events available

  We both host and run courses and events throughout the year, these include:

  Health and Wellbeing Events

  A Health and Wellbeing Event is a supportive event to help prepare people affected by cancer, their carers, and their family and friends for the transition through their cancer journey. The event brings together a range of service providers from health, social, community and voluntary sectors.

  The main aims are:

  • to provide information and advice relating to health and wellbeing
  • to signpost those attending to local resources and services including local and national charities, both clinical and non-clinical,
  • to facilitate interaction with other people affected by cancer

  Macmillan ‘HOPE’ Self-Management Programme
  
  This is a six week programme of informal sessions to help people gain the skills to better manage their condition. The course is designed for people who are trying to return to a normal and healthy lifestyle.

  It is led by people who have had personal experience of cancer themselves. The sessions help cancer patients self-manage their recovery through focusing on their existing strengths and resiliencies. They also offer advice on physical activity, dealing with emotions, managing tiredness and provide tips on how to communicate with doctors, health workers and family and friends. The programme uses problem solving and action planning techniques and addresses issues such as dealing with uncertainty and making decisions.

  Carers Session
  
  This session has various elements. To begin with, our Trust Carers Development Officer will explain the process of the carers assessment (everyone in a caring role is entitled to this to establish need and plan towards meeting it) and how this can be accessed. She also gives an overview of the services and supports available to those who are carers within the Trust. Tips will also be given on how to manage the caring role.

  Health Promotion
  
  A Dietitian will advise on diet during and after treatment and how to eat to minimise the risk of recurrence.

  Shirley McClelland (Smoking Cessation) will also attend to give an overview of the importance of stopping smoking to minimise potential for recurrence etc. She will also inform those present on support available within the Trust and what her role is.

  The Health Promotion Team will discuss the Health Wise Scheme, but will also outline all activity groups available within the Trust including those which are not cancer specific e.g. walking groups etc. They will give information on times and venues of such activities and where interest is expressed they will either book those present onto classes etc.or signpost them to the appropriate contacts.

  Cancer and Family
  
  This session begins with an introduction to some of the common issues encountered within families when someone receives a cancer diagnosis. Advice will be given on how to address any issues and what supports are available. Advice will also be given on the importance of good communication and how to communicate effectively at this difficult time.

  This session also deals with how to talk to and support children when an adult has cancer. Guidance is provided regarding additional sources of information and support, if required.

  Move More

  Taking part in physical activity during and after cancer treatment can make a big difference to a person’s clinical outcomes and quality of life.  That’s why Macmillan has a scheme in the South Eastern Trust called ‘Move More’ to help people get and stay active at a level that suits them.

• Referrals

  Referrals to the service can be made from Consultants and Cancer Nurse Specialists. Patients, carers, family and friends can also contact the service or attend during the drop-in periods to find out more.

• Video resources