New help available for cancer patients

The new Scotland’s Service Directory will make it easier for those who need support to access services

A West Lothian cancer support charity is now part of a new online directory.

Macmillan West Lothian and the NHS joined forces to create the new Scotland’s Service Directory (SSD) to make it easier than ever for those who need support to access their service.

The online directory of local health and wellbeing services for the people of Scotland was created when the global health pandemic interrupted their one-to-one consultations.

Caroline Hall, project officer with Macmillan WestLothian said: “In 2019, over 900 people contacted the Macmillan West Lothian service.

“As Covid-19 took hold we made the decision to suspend Face to Face contact in person and move this to an online video format. The assumption was that our email and phone delivery would increase, not only from transference of this service but also due to heightened concern over the current situation.

“Whilst this has been promoted widely online we appreciate that not everyone is digitally aware and have a real concern that whilst there is obviously a need for our service, people may think that as we are not providing our face to face delivery the service is closed.

“To help bridge this gap and make referrals easier Macmillan West Lothian is now live on NHS Inform Scotland’s Service Directory, along with the ‘Click to Be Contacted’ functionality.

“The Service is able to provide listening ear support, access to information on the non-clinical aspects of living with cancer, and referral to local services. We welcome contact from anyone affected by cancer, including patients, former patients, carers, friends and families.”

The ‘Click to be Contacted’ tool has been designed to allow individuals to either self-refer or be referred to the services listed within the directory.

The new function allows for professionals in the voluntary and health sector to instantly refer people affected by cancer into the Macmillan WestLothian support and information service.

People who are affected by cancer can also self-refer, providing their details and indicating their preferred method of contact, and will be contacted within two working days.

Further information on the SSD can be found online: www.nhsinform.scot/scotlands-service-directory.

Find out more about the Macmillan@WestLothian service by visiting the West Lothian Council website (https://www.westlothian.gov.uk/macmillan).