Support scheme 'changing the lives' of people with cancer in Glasgow

Improving the Cancer Journey (ICJ) has helped almost 2000 people with more than 10,000 problems since it began in 2014.

The Evening Times exclusively told of the ICJ scheme when it first launched - a unique service ensuring people in the city are automatically offered financial, emotional and practical support when they are diagnosed with cancer.

ICJ has helped people claim almost £1.7m in financial support such as welfare payments, and write off more than £100,000 of debt

The project is the first of its kind in the UK.

Read more: Colleagues raise cash for cancer-stricken mum whose insurance costs halted family holiday

Janice Preston, Macmillan Cancer Support’s Head of Services in Scotland, said: “Macmillan was delighted to fund this service which we believed would meet a real need for joined-up support in Glasgow.

“We know what when someone is diagnosed with cancer, it doesn’t just affect their physical health, it can affect all areas of their life, from their ability to work and support themselves, to their emotional and mental health.

"ICJ has made a real difference to people with cancer in Glasgow and we look forward to similar services being launched across the country.”

Scottish Government ministers included ICJ in their first cancer plan as a model of best practice and pledged £9million to roll similar services out across the country.

A report published this week by Edinburgh Napier University has evaluated the first two years of ICJ when 1300 people were supported by the service.

From feedback forms. some 81 per cent said it had improved their quality of life, 90 per cent said their concerns had been reduced and 93 per cent said it had lowered their feelings of isolation.

Since then, the numbers of people supported by ICJ have continued to rise -1992 assessments were carried out between the start of the service in February 2014 and August 2016, with 10,007 concerns raised from those assessments.

Onward referrals totalling 6700 have been made to more than 230 organisations in Glasgow which can provide further support.

Read more: Colleagues raise cash for cancer-stricken mum whose insurance costs halted family holiday

The scheme is a partnership between Macmillan Cancer Support, Glasgow City Council and NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde,

Philip Braat, City Treasurer at Glasgow City Council, said: “We already believed in the value of this project and the city’s partnership with Macmillan because we could see the positive difference they were making to the lives of Glaswegians with a cancer diagnosis every single day.

“However, it is still a huge boost to the whole team to see that belief endorsed so emphatically in this independent evaluation.

“Through the drive, determination and creativity of an exceptional group of people, this partnership has transformed cancer care in Glasgow and blazed a trail across the UK for high-quality, integrated services that are focused exactly where they should be: on the people who need them most.

“It seems clear now that other areas will follow Glasgow’s lead and I am excited to see what can be achieved when we step up as communities and face cancer together.”

ICJ works by contacting every newly diagnosed cancer patient in Glasgow, offering them time with a link worker to discuss their support needs.

This Holistic Needs Assessment (HNA) covers all areas of concern, from the practical to the physical and emotional.

An individual care plan is then created, outlining the support they need and how they will get it.

The link worker can provide information the person with cancer needs to take control and contact support organisations on their own, or work on their behalf to coordinate support from multiple agencies.

Jim Grant, 53, received support from ICJ after he was diagnosed with a terminal brain tumour last year.

A self-employed joiner from Toryglen, he had to stop work immediately and wasn’t allowed to drive but needed to attend hospital daily for six weeks to receive chemotherapy.

Being self-employed, he wasn’t entitled to sick pay from any employer and was in immediate financial difficulty.

Following his ICJ Holistic Needs Assessment, Jim’s link worker assisted him in getting a grant from Macmillan to cover his immediate financial needs, then secured ESA and PIP welfare payments, housing benefit, council tax reduction, a disabled bus pass, and a Blue Badge for his partner so she could drive him to hospital appointments.

Jim said: “I couldn’t have coped with any of this on my own. It was so much to take on just coping with the diagnosis that I wouldn’t have known where to start with the financial side of things.

Read more: Colleagues raise cash for cancer-stricken mum whose insurance costs halted family holiday

“I can’t thank Macmillan enough. Getting the financial help was a huge deal. To be told you can’t work and you can’t drive was devastating.

"But there was all the other help too – finding out about places you could get a massage to help with stress or centres where you can pop in for a tea or coffee and have a chat with people who are going through the same thing.

“That really makes a difference and we didn’t know about any of these places before my link worker Jill told us.

"Help was only ever a phone call away. If you needed help, she would be there.”

Sandra McDermott, Head of ICJ, said: “ICJ has transformed the lives of people affected by cancer and their families and carers in Glasgow. ICJ, which puts people at the centre of their care and support, is a model of care which should be available to everyone in Scotland and the UK.

“Glasgow’s Improving the Cancer Journey is proving to be an effective integrated health and social care pathway for people affected by cancer.

“The use of holistic needs assessment and care planning is ensuring that integrated support and care is available at all stages in the treatment journey. This requires every key professional and service to establish effective relationships with each other to deliver integrated solutions.

“When the assessment is personal and shared in real time it provides continuity of care and a set of common goals which matter to the person affected by cancer.

“There has been a real coming together from across health and social care professionals and people affected by cancer in planning, delivering and providing governance for the development of ICJ. This model of care and governance has the opportunity to be replicated across other long-term health conditions.’’

Gary Jenkins, director of Regional Services, NHSGGC, added: “Improving the Cancer Journey is an outstanding example of NHSGGC working with Macmillan, Glasgow City Council and other partner organisations for the benefit of patients across the city.

Read more: Colleagues raise cash for cancer-stricken mum whose insurance costs halted family holiday

“Worrying about financial or childcare issues when fighting cancer can only be detrimental when patients are focusing on their treatment, and health and wellbeing.

“Through ICJ, patients are directed to the most appropriate support services in Glasgow which ensures people in the city are offered emotional and practical support when they are diagnosed with cancer.”