Lancaster and Morecambe Macmillan service offers telephone support

As Lancaster, Morecambe and South Cumbria follows the government’s advice to stay at home, protect our NHS and save lives during the ongoing coronavirus crisis, a cancer support centre is reaching out to self-isolating cancer patients with the offer of telephone support.
The Macmillan team with Lorraine Jones pictured right.The Macmillan team with Lorraine Jones pictured right.
The Macmillan team with Lorraine Jones pictured right.

Macmillan’s Information and Support Service, based at the Royal Lancaster Infirmary, Furness General Hospital and Westmorland General Hospital, is temporarily closed to visitors due to the pandemic.

However, the determined centre manager, Lorraine Jones, has found a safe way to continue to support local people affected by cancer by working remotely speaking to people on the phone and via email.

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Lorraine said: “Despite the incredibly difficult and uncertain situation every one of us has found ourselves in, we knew how important it was to keep going and to be there for the people who depend on our support, now more than ever.

“Though our doors are temporarily closed and many of us are working alone or from home for everyone’s safety, we are very much still here for people affected by cancer across north Lancashire and south Cumbria.

“If you have any worries or concerns about cancer and you are struggling to get through to speak to your cancer teams, please contact us and we can do this on your behalf, or if you are lonely and just need to chat – we are here for you.”

Services available over the phone from the Macmillan Information and Support Centre include:

Emotional and physical support

Linking with Macmillan’s Welfare Team for financial support

Assistance with completing benefits applications

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Help with applying for Blue Badges (subject to certain criteria being met)

Signposting to Citizens Advice Bureau teams who can offer telephone support and advice

Sending out Macmillan info direct to your home

Responding to questions – via email – if further information about a cancer diagnosis or treatment is required.

Jeremy Such, Macmillan Partnership Manager for Lancashire and South Cumbria, added: “In this unprecedented situation the way Lorraine and the Macmillan Information and Support Centre has adapted to ensure they are still able to support people is simply extraordinary.”

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Anyone affected by cancer in North Lancashire or South Cumbria can contact the centre on 01524 519578 or 07972 639424 or email [email protected] Monday to Friday, 9am to 4pm.

Alternatively, if you need support when the centre is closed, comprehensive information and support, including Macmillan’s latest guidance and advice on the impact of coronavirus on cancer care, is available macmillan.org.uk/coronavirus and the Macmillan Support Line is open seven days a week between 9am and 5pm on 0808 808 00 00.

Macmillan is almost entirely funded by donations and can only support the growing number of people living with cancer with the help of its supporters. Visit macmillan.org.uk/getinvolved today to donate or volunteer.

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