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Survivorship across the UK

Macmillan is lobbying governments in England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland to improve services for people living with or beyond cancer.

Anthony's story

'My cancer experience was really stressful as I'm self-employed and have had a lot of work worries. I've finished treatment but the hardest part about the cancer now is how it has affected me mentally. I'm convinced that every ache and pain that I get is the cancer returning.'

A man affected by cancer

England
Scotland

Wales
Northern Ireland


England

Macmillan is co-chairing a National Cancer Survivorship Initiative (NCSI) with the Department of Health. A think tank in March 2008 brought together key individuals and organisations to consider the needs of people living with or beyond cancer. You can read the summary report and findings here [PDF, 116kb].

The NCSI aims to provide better support to cancer survivors focusing on the following areas:

  • assessment and care planning
  • managing active and progressive disease
  • late effects
  • children and young people
  • work and finance
  • self-management
  • research
  • information
  • workforce development and commissioning

Working with the NHS Improvement, Macmillan and the NCSI are piloting new models of follow-up to provide better post-treatment support. Read more in our survivorship publication, Two Million Ways [PDF, 756kb].


Scotland

As a result of Macmillan's lobbying, the Scottish Government's cancer action plan, Better Cancer Care, published in October 2008, has a new focus on supporting people living with and beyond cancer. A Government working group on survivorship will be established to maintain the national focus on this issue.

The plan also commits the Government to making referral to benefits and financial advice a systematic part of the patient journey, as the Government will invest £500,000 in Macmillan's services in Scotland to extend our benefits and financial advice network and pilot support for people wanting to return to work after cancer. Find out more in our Two Million Reasons publication [PDF, 756kb].


Wales

Macmillan has ensured that the latest Welsh Assembly Government cancer strategy, Designed to Tackle Cancer in Wales Phase Two, acknowledges the needs of people living with or beyond cancer and their carers.

We will be working with the Welsh Assembly Government to ensure that post-treatment support needs for people living with or beyond cancer are explored as part of the new Cancer Rehabilitiation Standard. Find out other ways in which survivorship is being dealt with in Wales in our survivorship publication, Two Million Reasons  [PDF, 756kb].


Northern Ireland

The Northern Ireland Assembly's Cancer Services Framework for Cancer Prevention, Treatment and Care (2008) will ensure that the development of follow-up care is a priority.

Macmillan will be working closely with the Assembly to deliver the framework. Find out more information in our survivorship publication, Two Million Reasons [PDF 756kb].