New Helpline and Service for Cancer Patients in Lanarkshire
CANCER patients in Lanarkshire will now have access to expert advice and treatment at weekends after a new service was launched at Monklands Hospital.
NHS Lanarkshire, in partnership with Macmillan Cancer Support, will provide a blood transfusion service on Saturdays and Sundays 8am to 5pm.
In addition there will be a weekend Chemotherapy Helpline for all NHS Lanarkshire cancer patients.
Teresa Rennie, Lead Haematology-Oncology Nurse for NHS Lanarkshire, believes the new service will have a tremendous impact on patients’ lives.
She said: “The new service will provide further improvements for patients who require blood transfusions.
“During the week the Day Unit can be very congested and by opening at weekends this will lead to a more relaxed, supportive environment for patients to have their treatment.
“The Chemotherapy Helpline which will provide advice for NHS Lanarkshire patients and relatives and other clinical staff such as GPs.
“The helpline will be co-ordinated by two chemotherapy trained nursing staff who will be available to offer advice, answer questions, concerns or contact medical staff on their behalf to seek specialist recommendations."
Margaret Smith, the ward manager, added: “The helpline will enable patients who, for example, are receiving chemotherapy to speak directly to a nurse in the ward who can provide them with the appropriate information swiftly.”
Elspeth Atkinson, Macmillan Cancer Support Director for Scotland, believes the new service will be of great benefit to cancer patients.
She said: “Macmillan Cancer Support is delighted to be able to fund this great new service for Lanarkshire.
“People living with cancer tell us how important it is to them to maintain as much normality as possible when having treatment and this will be made much easier by a weekend clinic and helpline that allows people to access support and treatment without disrupting their weekday lives."
The number for the Chemotherapy Helpline is 01236 713312.