GLASGOW is to become the first place in the UK where all cancer patients are automatically offered financial, emotional and practical support.

In the £3million scheme, social care services will work with the NHS to ensure cancer patients can access all the help they need with just one phone call.

The groundbreaking service will see every newly diagnosed patient in the city sent a letter offering a visit from a dedicated worker.

The worker will help the patient get the help they need, from bene-fits advice and emo-tional support, to help at home or child care.

The news comes as it was revealed that the number of cancer patients in Glasgow is increasing every year.

And many people do not know how to seek help for the non-medical effects of the illness.

Macmillan, which is paying the total for the service, believes it will be a real help to every-one living with cancer in the city.

Macmillan's director for Scotland Elspeth Atkinson, said: "Can-cer has a huge impact on every aspect of people's lives and many patients tell us they don't know where to turn for help.

"This service should make sure everyone in Glasgow with cancer has someone to call on for help, no matter what they need."

Glasgow City Coun-cil Treasurer Paul Rooney said: "The impact of cancer on someone's health is understood; but it is often overlooked that diagnosis can have far-reaching consequences in every part of a pat-ient's life from finances to relationships.

"In Glasgow, we have been building the partnerships and services to ensure that nobody faces those challenges alone.

"This project is the next step in making sure every patient is able to access that support as early as possible."

To learn more about the Improving the Cancer Journey ser-vice, call 0141 287 7077.

catriona.stewart@ eveningtimes.co.uk