Cancer and Long-Term Conditions Support in Renfrewshire

													
Cancer and long term cancer conditions don't just affect your physical wellbeing: it impacts upon every aspect of your life.
We want to ensure everyone in Renfrewshire who has been diagnosed with cancer or a long term condition can easily access all the support they need after diagnosis, as soon as they need it, to enable them to live as well and as independently as possible.
We have joined forces with Macmillan Cancer Support to help people across Renfrewshire who have been diagnosed with cancer and long term conditions.
Our Improving the Cancer Journey (ICJ) and Long-Term Conditions (LTC) services help people to get the support they need - whether that's physical, emotional, practical, medical or financial. The service is a partnership between Macmillan Cancer Support, Renfrewshire Council, and NHS Greater Glasgow & Clyde.
Who can access the service?
If you have been diagnosed with cancer or a long term condition and you live in Renfrewshire, you can access the service. Our Improving the Cancer Journey (ICJ) and Long-Term Conditions (LTC) team will also be on hand to help your family and/or carers.
You can self-refer for this service or can ask someone to fill out a referral form on your behalf.
How can the service help me?
This service is about working together to help people with cancer and long term conditions live life as fully as they can.
When you contact us, we will work with you to determine the right kind of help and support you need.  You will be assigned a coordinator who will meet with you to discuss your needs and help you access tailored information and support.  You can talk to us about how you feel, get help with money and housing worries, emotional support or help at home, whatever matters to you.
Holistic Needs Assessment
To find out exactly what your needs are, your coordinator will carry out a holistic needs assessment.
Going through this type of assessment will help you to recognise what is troubling you most and will help to make a plan that's unique to you.
In the assessment, you will be asked a simple set of questions. You will also be asked to rate how severe your concerns are. This will give your coordinator an indication of what should be dealt with first. 
You and your coordinator will then work together to develop a care plan. From there, you can explore what resources, help and support are available.
The care plan may include things like ideas to help you manage emotional, physical or practical worries. It will also include contact details for organisations or services that could help with your concerns, such as the Macmillan benefits team or a dietitian.
Your coordinator will write down the actions you agree on and you will be able to take a copy of this plan away with you.