Cancer Services Handbook

Transcription

1 Cancer Services Handbook WPR21572 June 2014 Review date by: May 2016 Designed by Medical Photography & Graphic Design, DBHFT ext. 3736

2 Index Page Introduc on... 2 The Chatsfield Suite - Chemotherapy Day Unit... 2 Keyworker and Clinical Nurse Specialist... 2 Specialist Nurses... 2 Breast Nurses... 2 Colorectal... 3 Dermatology... 3 Upper GI... 3 Gynaecology/Oncology... 4 Haematology... 4 Urology Cancer Nursing Service... 4 Lung... 4 Head and Neck... 5 Pallia ve... 5 Research Nurses... 5 Bassetlaw Community Macmillan Nurses... 5 Pallia ve Out Pa ent Clinic... 6 Cancer Pain Outpa ent Clinic... 6 Lymphoedema Services... 6 Rehabilita on Services... 7 Chaplains... 8 Emo onal Help

3 Index Page Self Help Groups... 9 Life A er Breast Cancer... 9 Buzzom Buddies Friday Club Lymphoedema Cancer Support Group Cancer Services User Group Urology Support Haematology Support Isis Support Aurora Buddies Club Doncaster CVS Doncaster Head & Neck Support Group St John s Informa on and Support Centre Cancer Informa on & Support Service Aurora Macmillan Social Worker Finances Hospice at Home/Marie Curie Bassetlaw Community Assessment Support Service St John s Hospice Cedar House Hospice Useful Organisa ons

4 This handbook is to introduce you to the specialist care services available for people with cancer in the Bassetlaw and Doncaster areas. Contact telephone numbers are given for the specialist teams, which will be providing your care. The Chatsfield Suite - Chemotherapy Day Unit The Chatsfield Suite is based on the Doncaster Royal Infirmary site (DRI). It provides chemotherapy services for day case haematology and solid tumour malignancies, in accordance with local and network agreements. Blood product support is also delivered in the Chatsfield Suite to this group of pa ents. The unit is open Monday to Friday 8.00am to 5.00pm, (excluding weekends and Bank Holidays.) Referrals for treatment are accepted from the Trust s Haematology Consultants, visi ng Oncologists and Specialist Pallia ve. The unit can be contacted for informa on, advice and signpos ng to appropriate support services. Contact details: Tel: Fax: Key-worker and Clinical Nurse Specialist (CNS) If you have been diagnosed with cancer, you will have your care co-ordinated by a key-worker. Your key-worker will usually be a CNS, who works as part of the team providing your cancer treatment and care. They will provide informa on on the op ons available to you for treatment and care, and will give support and guidance. You will be given wri en informa on on your key-worker s name and contact details. If you are admi ed to hospital in our locality as an emergency, your key-worker will be automa cally no fied by the Pa ent Electronic Alert to Key-worker System (PEAKS). They will contact the department where you are and speak to the staff caring for you, and may visit you, if required, during your hospital a endance. 4

5 Specialist Nurses The following clinical nurse specialists are based in the Bassetlaw and Doncaster areas. They are registered nurses, who specialise in par cular fields of cancer care, and are available in clinics and on hospital wards to give advice and support. During your cancer treatment, you may be referred to one of the specialist nurses listed in this booklet. You can also contact the nurses yourself for advice and support. Breast Nurse Specialist The Macmillan Breast Nurses work across all the hospital sites. These specialist nurses offer support and psychological care of pa ents who have been diagnosed with breast cancer. They are available in the breast clinics and provide informa on to pa ents at home to help them make decisions about their treatment. The Breast Nurses also run prosthesis fi ng clinics and family history clinics. They are involved in the NHS Breast Screening Programme, giving support and informa on to women a ending for a recall a er rou ne screening. The Breast Nurses help with a number of support groups across the locality. Details of these can be found from page The Breast Nurses can be contacted at Bassetlaw Hospital on ext 2328, or at Doncaster Royal Infirmary on ext 3926, Monday to Friday, 9.00am pm. Colorectal/Stoma Nurse Specialist The Colorectal/Stoma Nurses work across the Bassetlaw, DRI and Montagu hospital sites. They offer physical and psycho-social support throughout the treatment pathway, to pa ents, who have been diagnosed with colorectal cancer, and their rela ves. They are available in the colorectal and oncology clinics providing informa on and advice about the individual s treatment, ac ng as the key-worker. They also hold cancer follow-up clinics at the three hospital sites and are involved in the bowel screening programme. Colorectal pa ents may also go to a clinic for stoma related problems or if they require further support. The clinic is held on a dnesday morning at DRI. Appointments for this clinic, or to be seen at Bassetlaw or Montagu Hospitals, can be arranged by contac ng the department on

6 Dermatology Specialist The Clinical Nurse Specialist (CNS) in Dermatology provides a service across all hospital sites and is the key worker for pa ents with skin cancer. The CNS provides informa on, advice, support, and psychological care for pa ents, who have been diagnosed with skin cancer and their rela ves. They also hold nurse-led follow-up clinics at DRI and Bassetlaw Hospital. Pa ents who have been diagnosed with skin cancer, and are being seen by a dermatologist, can refer themselves into a clinic at any me they request for advice or support. Appointments can be arranged by contac ng Dermatology recep on at Doncaster Royal Infirmary on ext 3830, ask for the CNS to be paged. Upper Gastrointestinal Cancer Nurse Specialist The Upper GI Cancer Nurse Specialist (Upper GI CNS), aims to ensure that pa ents diagnosed with Upper GI malignancies a ending hospital receive the highest standard of care, and have access to the support and informa on they need, at the various stages throughout their journey. This service is pa ent centred, taking into account the views and needs of the pa ent and their carer. The Upper GI CNS can be contacted on ext 4722 or bleep 115. Flexi hours are worked Monday to Friday between 8.00am to 6.00pm. Contact can be made at any me but if the CNS is not available, a message can be le by voice mail, which will be answered as soon as possible. Gynaecology /Oncology Clinical Nurse Specialist The role of the Gynaecology/Oncology CNS is to offer informa on and support providing a con nuous link through all areas of care for pa ents and their families following a diagnosis of gynaecological cancer. The nurses are based at DRI but also cover the Bassetlaw area. They visit wards and clinics regularly at both hospitals to see women referred to them. They are able to visit or telephone pa ents at home if they prefer. Working hours are Monday - Thursday 9.00am pm. Haematology The Haematology CNS is the key-worker for pa ents with haematological (blood and blood related) cancers. The nurses are based at DRI but also cover Bassetlaw Hospital. They provide informa on and support and also run nurse-led clinics. 6

7 Contact details are DRI, tel: ext 6111/6047 or direct dial The CNS contact number is or via switchboard bleep 1470 or 1177 or mobile Urology Cancer Nurse Specialist Urology nurses are based at DRI, but also provide a service across the Bassetlaw, Montagu and Re ord Hospital sites. Their role is to provide advice, informa on, and con nued support to pa ents and rela ves whose lives are affected by a range of urological cancers. They usually meet pa ents at their first hospital a endance and are present while they undergo diagnos c tests and inves ga ons. They help co-ordinate the pa ent s care from the me of diagnosis, throughout treatment, and during the follow-up period. Pa ents and rela ves are able to contact them at any me and can arrange to see them in the Urology Department if they wish. The Uro-oncology Nurses can be contacted between 9.00am pm, Monday - Friday on or via ext Any messages will be responded to as soon as possible. Lung Cancer Nurse Specialist The Macmillan Lung nurses provide advice and support for pa ents diagnosed with lung cancer, and their rela ves. They usually meet pa ents in hospital clinics but also see pa ents in their own homes, if requested. They give advice about the diagnosis of lung cancer, inves ga ons, and treatments. Help is available throughout the illness. They are classed as the pa ent s key-worker and co-ordinate their care. They work Monday to Friday 9.00am pm. They can be contacted at DRI on or ext 6185 or at Bassetlaw on ext Head & Neck Nurse Specialist The Head & Neck Nurse Specialist is the key-worker for pa ents with Head & Neck cancer across the Trust. Doncaster Head & Neck group meets on the first dnesday in the month in the Board Room at DRI. The Macmillan Head & Neck Nurse Specialist and tracheostomy nurse can be contacted via switchboard on ext 6331 or on

8 They also provide smoking cessa on and support and an outreach service for laryngectomy and tracheostomy pa ents. Smoking cessa on is carried out at DRI and Bassetlaw Hospital on a weekly outpa ent basis and aims to assist people affected by cancer to stop smoking. The outreach service covers the community throughout the district, including the Dearne Valley and Bassetlaw areas. This is an invaluable service, ensuring pa ents too ill to a end hospital avoid lengthy waits in outpa ents and have individualised care at home eg change of tubes etc. Macmillan Specialist Palliative Nurses The Macmillan Specialist Pallia ve nurses give specialist advice, informa on, and support to pa ents and their carers as well as to hospital and community-based staff. They support pa ents with a diagnosis of cancer or other life-limi ng condi ons. Some nurse s work in hospitals while others work in the community and visit pa ents at home. Doncaster Royal Infirmary and Montagu Hospital nurses can be contacted Monday to Friday 8.30am to 4.30pm on or via ext Bassetlaw Hospital Nurses can be contacted Monday to Friday 8.30am to 4.30pm. Tel: ext Research Nurses Doncaster and Bassetlaw are now dedicated to offering a clinical trial/study service to our pa ents who are eligible. The trials are spread across the cancer sites and if eligible, pa ents are asked if they wish to take part in a trial/study. Contact the Research Office - D Block Tel: ext Bassetlaw Community Macmillan Nurses The specialist nurse supports pa ents and families where there is a diagnosis of cancer or other-life limi ng condi ons. They provide educa on, specialist advice, and support for care staff to deliver pallia ve and end-of-life care. Tel: Doncaster Community Macmillan Specialist Palliative Nurses The specialist nurse supports pa ents and families where there is a diagnosis of cancer or other-life limi ng condi ons. They provide educa on, specialist advice, and support for care staff to deliver pallia ve and end-of-life care. Tel:

9 Other local services Specialist Palliative Outpatient Clinic This clinic is run by a Pallia ve Medicine Physician weekly at Bassetlaw Hospital and twice a week at St John s Support & Informa on Centre, Doncaster. Pa ents experiencing any complex symptom will be seen within two weeks of referral. Referrals can be made by GPs, consultants, or CNS. Cancer Pain Outpatient Clinic The Trust provides a cancer pain service through an outpa ent clinic. Specialist Cancer Pain Lead for the Trust Support Links Pain Management Unit, Montagu Hospital, Mexborough St John s Hospice Pallia ve mul -disciplinary team (MDT) Hospital and Community Macmillan Staff Site Pain Management Unit, Montagu Hospital When Every 2nd Friday a ernoon Referrers General prac oners Hospital consultants Macmillan nurse specialist Criteria All pa ents with difficult cancer/pallia ve-related pain or other problema c symptoms. Severe difficult pain despite strong analgesia/ co-analgesia Neuropathic pain Pain that may require invasive management, including: abdominal/pelvic pain chest wall pain lower limb pain Appointments Pain Management Unit, Montagu Hospital on or Advice Department of Anaesthesia, Doncaster Royal Infirmary ext

10 Doncaster and Bassetlaw Macmillan Mobile Lymphoedema Service This service is based at St John s Informa on and Support Centre, ston Road, Balby, and can be contacted on Satellite clinics are held in Thorne Vermuyden Centre and Denaby. Please contact the above number for more informa on. In Bassetlaw, a clinic is held at Tuxford Health Centre and Re ord Primary Centre. Please contact the above number. Following a medical referral, all pa ents are assessed by the specialist prac oner within four weeks for clinic pa ents, within three working days for pa ents in the community, hospital, nursing home and hospice, and a treatment plan is nego ated. The service offers: deconges ve lympha c therapy maintenance programme nego ated pallia ve programme educa onal pathway for cancer and non-cancer related lymphoedema pa ents. The service expects and encourages pa ents and carers to become selfcaring, so educa on is offered as one to one and as a workshop. These have been agreed in consulta on with the pa ents and carers and include: skin exercise simple lymph drainage compression garments the lympha c system healthy lifestyle and healthy ea ng benefits. 10

11 Rehabilitation Services Clinical Therapies (rehabilita on) and Allied Health Professional (AHP) services can be contacted as follows: Doncaster Royal Infirmary Armthorpe Road Doncaster DN2 7LT Tel: Bassetlaw General Hospital Blyth Road Kilton Worksop S81 0BD Tel: Montagu Hospital Adwick Road Mexborough S64 0AZ Tel: Physiotherapy Lead Tel: ext 3135/3605 Speech & Language Therapy Lead Tel: Occupa onal Therapy Lead Tel: Diete cs Lead for cancer Tel: ext 3713 Specialist Pallia ve Allied Health Professional services St John s Hospice ston Road Balby Doncaster DN4 8JS Tel: Physiotherapy & Occupa onal Therapy Lead Tel: Lymphodema Team Tel: NHS Bassetlaw (PCT) Re ord Hospital North Road Re ord DN22 7XF Tel: Allied Health Professional AHP Lead Tel: Pallia ve care AHP services Bassetlaw Hospice of the Good Shepherd Cedar House North Road Re ord DN22 7XF Tel:

12 Chaplaincy Services The Chaplaincy Department is commi ed to the spiritual, religious, and pastoral care of staff, pa ents, and their families. This care extends to people of any faith and none. Chaplaincy services are provided at Bassetlaw Hospital, DRI, and Montagu Hospital. The chaplains are part of the mul -disciplinary team approach to healthcare. There are chapels at Bassetlaw Hospital and DRI. They are always open and provide a place for quiet reflec on. Bassetlaw Hospital provides a service of prayer most weekdays at 8.45am and a celebra on of Holy Communion every Sunday at 11.00am, DRI provides the service for Holy Communion on dnesdays at 1.00pm. Volunteers are available to escort pa ents to the Sunday services. There are quiet rooms at all sites for confiden al conversa ons and counselling. Prayer, Holy Communion, Sacrament of the Sick and other services can be given at the bedside on request. Muslim prayer rooms are available adjacent to both chapels. Chaplains are available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week and in emergencies can be contacted through the hospital switchboards. Non-urgent messages may be le on the chaplains telephone answer machines. Chaplains can also contact leaders of other faiths. Contact numbers Bassetlaw Hospital DRI & Montagu Hospital (switchboard) (switchboard) (direct line) (direct line) Emotional Help Cancer can have a major emo onal impact; there are many people who can help. The self help groups men oned in this handbook can provide advice and support for people with cancer, as can your key-worker and the chaplains. Counselling or Psychology Services Your key-worker or other member of the team caring for you can also put you in touch with a professionally trained counsellor or psychological therapist. This free confiden al counselling service, offers you the chance to explore your feelings and experiences in a suppor ve environment. The counsellors also offer help for your rela ves and carers. In addi on, there is a choice to contact St Johns Informa on and Support Centre Bereavement and Counselling service. 12

13 Self Help Groups Life A er Breast Cancer The Doncaster Life A er Breast Cancer Support Group meets on the first Monday of every month at the Earl of Doncaster, Benne horpe, from 7.00pm to 9.00pm. There are social events and visi ng speakers and a breast care nurse is present. Tel: or (evenings). Buzzom Buddies This is the Breast Support Group in Bassetlaw. They meet on the second Thursday of every month from 6.30pm to 8.30pm in the Postgraduate Educa on Centre (PGEC) at Bassetlaw Hospital. The mee ngs offer support and social ac vi es. Breast Nurses are available to talk to in private, if required, and family and friends are welcome. Tel: ext Friday Club An invited group to support ladies with advanced breast cancer. This is an informal se ng. These are fixed six sessions held randomly throughout the year on a Friday a ernoon at various venues between Bassetlaw and Doncaster. Tel: ext Lymphoedema Support Group This group supports and encourages pa ents with lymphoedema. It is managed by pa ents with lymphoedema and their carers and is an extension of the North Trent Lymphoedema Support Group. Tel: Cancer Support Group This support group provides the opportunity for cancer pa ents, their families, friends, carers and healthcare and other professionals to meet in an informal and friendly se ng to share experiences and to support and encourage each other. Mee ngs are held on the first dnesday of every month from 6.30pm to 8.00pm in the Boardroom, DRI (via Gate 4). Tel: ext 3143 or ext Doncaster & Bassetlaw Cancer Services User Group This group is for pa ents and their carers who are affected by cancer and who would like to give a view on cancer services, care and treatment. If you would like to get involved in surveys, ques onnaires and/or group mee ngs or simply want to find out more, please tel: More informa on can be found on their website: Urology support This group is for prostate cancer pa ents, their families and friends, meet informally in a friendly se ng to share experiences and support each other. The mee ngs will be facilitated by Uro-Oncology nurses and will feature talks by guest speakers on topics of interest. The mee ngs are held three monthly, alterna ng between DRI and Bassetlaw Hospitals. For further informa on please contact DRI on ext 6122.

14 Haematology Support group A Haematology Cancer Support Group has been set up for pa ents; the contact details are DRI, tel: ext 6111/6047 or direct dial Isis support group A Gynaecology Support Group for pa ents, carers and friends, held on the first Monday in the month 6.00pm pm at the Gynaecology Outpa ents Department, Women s & Children s Hospital, DRI. Doncaster Head & Neck Support Group The Specialist Nurse is also the chair of the Doncaster Support Group. The group meets the first dnesday in the month and is held in the Boardroom at DRI. Aurora Buddies Club (ABC) Drop-in for a chat and a coffee. Mee ngs are held the first Saturday of every month from 10.00am un l 12noon in the Aurora Centre at DRI and the last Saturday of the month at Mexborough Public Library 10.00am un l 12noon. Other Organisations Offering Help Doncaster Community Voluntary Services (CVS) Doncaster CVS support Self-help groups to make links with others, by providing informa on about na onal voluntary organisa ons, linking together groups of similar interests, and voluntary and community organisa ons with statutory authori es. CVS publishes a directory of voluntary and community organisa ons ac ve in Doncaster. A self-help group consists of people with personal experiences of a similar problem or life situa on, either directly or through their family or friends. Sharing experiences helps them to give each other support by exchanging prac cal informa on and find ways of coping. Self-help groups are run for and by their members. If you would like more informa on on self help groups, please call: St John s Information & Support Centre St John s Informa on & Support Centre in Balby, Doncaster, offers help for cancer pa ents, their carers and their families. The service offers a network of support for people facing a life-limi ng illness. The centre has seminar rooms, community mee ng rooms, a resource library, computer suite, and video conferencing facili es. In addi on, there is a wai ng lounge, complementary therapy rooms, and specialist treatment rooms. 14

15 The centre is a partnership between the NHS and a registered charity, the Doncaster Cancer Detec on Trust. It has a team of NHS staff who provide support for people at different stages in their cancer journey from diagnosis through to pallia ve care. The centre also offers educa on, informa on, and emo onal support for those worried about cancer and life limited condi ons. The services are designed to help individuals cope with change, deal with current problems, and receive support with the emo onal ups and downs of a life limi ng diagnosis while maintaining a sense of control and dignity. Members of the public are welcome to visit the centre, although some services are only available by referral from a health or social care professional. The centre is open to the public Monday to Friday 9.00am pm (excluding bank holidays) and services include: library and informa on leaflets support for family carers on a one to one basis complimentary therapy DiAL benefit advice emo onal support and counselling training and educa on about cancer and life-limi ng illnesses support group ac vi es. Referrals are taken by phone, fax, or post. For further informa on, or to make a phone referral please, call the help desk on Cancer Information & Support Service Cancer Informa on & Support Service for Doncaster offers people affected by cancer access to good quality, comprehensive, and appropriate informa on and support. The service is staffed by the Macmillan Cancer Informa on & Support Facilitator, and supported by an experienced healthcare team. They offer support and informa on to pa ents, carers, family members, friends, and anyone worried about cancer. They can listen and discuss how cancer is affec ng your life. The service is based at St John s Informa on & Support Centre, in a warm, friendly and confiden al environment. Appointments can also be made at loca ons across Doncaster. Phone the Helpdesk on for an appointment, to request informa on be posted or ed to you, and to discuss your needs further. 15

16 Aurora Centre The Aurora Centre is an exci ng and innova ve addi on to the services for cancer pa ents, based at DRI and Montagu Hospital. The Centre has five part- me professional therapists, supported by a team of trained volunteers and offers a wide range of professional beauty and complementary therapy treatments free to local people, men and women, diagnosed with cancer. Sessions include: pamper days Headstrong (advice on hair loss) reflexology therapeu c massage make-up and advice on looking your best eyelash and eyebrow enhancement skin care Feel Good workshop - a group session introducing style and image as a tool to help build confidence and self esteem, including a mini makeover to teach principles of colour and how it affects confidence - a great fun session Your Life to Live workshop - a group session focusing on developing a posi ve mental a tude to help lead the very best life you can. To book an appointment please telephone: The Aurora Centre, Doncaster Tel: Open: Monday to Friday 9.00am -5.00pm (Some Saturdays and late evenings) Aurora Buddies Club (ABC) First Saturday of each month 10.00am - 12 noon The Aurora Centre, Mexborough Tel: Open: Monday to Friday 10.00am pm (Some Saturdays and late evenings) Aurora Buddies Club (ABC) Last Saturday of each month 10.00am - 12 noon General enquiries Plans are in place to open an Aurora ll-being centre at the old Worksop Library. The centre will incorporate a coffee shop, gentle gym, charity shop, as well as the tradi onal Aurora centre. 16

17 Macmillan Social Worker A Macmillan Social Worker is based at DRI, is employed by Doncaster Metropolitan Borough Council and is part of the hospital s social care team. There is also a Macmillan Social Worker based at Bassetlaw Hospital. They work closely with the Specialist pallia ve care team, CNS, and other members of MDT, to provide prac cal and emo onal support and advice. They also carry out social care assessments for individuals who have been diagnosed with a life limi ng illness, suppor ng their families and carers. Many of their clients are inpa ents, and the main focus of the role is to assess and provide services to enable people to be discharged safely and mely to their preferred place of care. They ensure the client and family are fully aware of choices and advising them on benefits/ resources available to meet their needs. The Social Worker can also provide a limited service to outpa ents and acts as a resource to other Local Authority and health colleagues who seek guidance on social care issues on behalf of their clients. Contact Details DRI ext 3654 Bassetlaw Hospital ext 2806 Finances A cancer diagnosis can lead to extra expenses, such as paying for prescrip ons or fares to hospital. There are different kinds of financial help for which you may be eligible. Most of this help comes in the form of state benefits. However, the benefit system is complicated, you may wish to speak to an experienced benefits advisor, by contac ng one of the organisa ons in this handbook. Macmillan Cancer Relief produce a helpful booklet, Help with the cost of cancer, which can be obtained by phoning Hospice at Home/Marie Curie Nursing Service This is a community nursing service designed to compliment district nursing and social services care. It provides free respite and nursing care in the home, both day and night, from qualified and unqualified staff to allow family carers regular me out. 17

18 What care can be offered Respite visits are usually four to six hours twice weekly so the carer can take some me out for shopping, socialising or just a break from caring. is available any me of day including evenings and weekends. Night care is also available from 10.00pm am allowing carers to get a well earned sleep. Hospice at Home is based at the St John s Hospice, tel: The service can be accessed via GPs, district nurses, social services, Together, or by hospital referral. Bassetlaw Community Support Service Bassetlaw Community Health, in conjunc on with the Bassetlaw Hospice Charity has developed a range of nurse lead community support services available to: cancer survivors- those living with a cancer diagnosis, who at mes feel in need of non medical support, and or would like to meet with others in a similar posi on carers of pa ents with a long term illness, or a diagnosis of cancergiving a short respite and an opportunity to discuss any difficul es they are experiencing recently bereaved- those who are experiencing difficul es grieving and would benefit from support or a sensi ve ear. Drop-in sessions are held within the community, at easily accessible venues in Re ord (Chapelgate Hall, Grove Street Church) and Worksop (Worksop Library). The services are facilitated by experienced pallia ve care nurses based at Bassetlaw Hospice, supported by a team of volunteers offering: one to one support peer support sign pos ng to other appropriate professional services sign pos ng to social groups and clubs guest speakers (care service providers) pleasant surroundings with light refreshments. Cancer Survivors Session 2nd and 4th Friday 10.00am pm Bereavement Support Session 1st and 3rd Friday 10.00am pm rs Support Every Friday 1.00pm pm For further informa on contact the Day Hospice on or the Pallia ve Co-ordinator on

19 Marie Curie Nursing Service For informa on regarding these services, pa ents and carers in the Bassetlaw area should contact the district nurse involved in the pa ent s care, either through the GP prac ce or via Bassetlaw Primary Trust, tel: St John s Hospice Doncaster The Hospice opened in 1992 with the aim of enhancing the quality of life for those individuals with a diagnosis of cancer or other life limi ng illnesses. It consists of a 10 bedded Inpa ent Unit, as well as a Day Service offering up to 50 places. The services are to provide specialist pallia ve care and support for individuals and their families iden fied with complex physical, psychosocial and spiritual needs, while providing care and support for those individuals in the last few days of their life. The Hospice address is: St John s Hospice, ston Road, Balby, Doncaster DN4 8JS. Tel: Cedar House Bassetlaw Hospice Retford Cedar House, is a purpose-built facility caring for people with cancer and other life-threatening illnesses within the Bassetlaw area. Opened in 1994, it provides inpa ent, day hospice, and home care support. A hospice provides a special kind of caring, usually for people whose illnesses are beyond cure, but it is also available for those undergoing cura ve treatment who may require addi onal support. Every year in Bassetlaw around 1500 people are informed that they have a poten ally life threatening illness. The Hospice team aims to provide care and support to every one of these people, and also to their carers. Hospice services include: inpa ent care (six beds), which enables pa ents to receive 24 hour care, providing relief from troublesome symptoms, such as pain, and also offers admissions for respite breaks and terminal care day hospice provides care and support in relaxed and friendly surroundings. Trained staff are always available to discuss difficul es or concerns. It also provides an opportunity to mix socially with others who may share similar problems, and provides respite for carers. A range of complimentary and diversional therapies are also available Hospice at Home service offers prac cal care and support to pa ents and carers within their own homes. The Hospice address is: Cedar House Bassetlaw Hospice, North Road, Re ord, No s DN22 7XF. Tel:

20 Useful organisations Government organisations Department for Work and Pensions The DWP Benefit enquiry line provides general benefits advice for people with disabili es and their carers. Freephone Textphone Inland Revenue Contact them about tax related ma ers or to claim tax credits. Details of local offices are listed in the telephone directory or see Tax Credits Helpline Voluntary Organisations Dial UK Provide disability informa on and advise and help with benefits for people living with cancer. Tel: or see Macmillan Cancer Relief Provide care, informa on and financial support for people living with cancer. Macmillan Cancer Line Freephone (Monday to Friday 9.00am to 6.00pm) or Ci zens Advice Bureau Provide advice on benefits, debt and employment. Doncaster Mexborough Thorne Bassetlaw See your local telephone directory for details of your local office. rs UK Offer advice for carers of people with cancer, including help with benefits. Tel: Help the Aged Provide a welfare rights service for older people and their carers. Senior Line Age Concern Provide informa on and fact sheets for older people on topics such as benefits and housing. Tel: Libraries Local libraries also have details of local agencies that provide benefits advice. Macmillan Cancer Relief Macmillan Cancer Relief produce a leaflet, Help with the cost of Cancer, which can be obtained by calling Patient Advice & Liaison Service (PALS) PALS staff are available to offer advice or informa on on healthcare ma ers. The office is in the Main Foyer (Gate 4) of Doncaster Royal Infirmary. Contact can be made either in person, by telephone or . PALS staff can also visit inpa ents on all Trust sites. The contact details are: Telephone: or Minicom (Text talk): pals.dbh@dbh.nhs.uk 20