A new information pod has been officially opened at Carlisle’s Cumberland Infirmary to help people affected by cancer across north Cumbria.
Macmillan Cancer Support has spent £35,000 on the pod, in the main entrance on Newtown Road, and to revamp the hospital’s quiet room.
The pod provides easier access for patients, the charity said.
The Macmillan Information and Support Service, which first launched in 2003, helps around 400 people affected by cancer every year.
New volunteers are currently being recruited to help run the service, and enable the pod to open Monday to Friday, between 9am and 5pm, to provide practical, physical, financial and emotional support to people living with cancer.
The charity has advised if anyone is planning on making a special journey to visit the pod it is recommended to phone first to check that someone is available. Alternatively, leaflets can also be accessed out-of-hours via a QR code board on the pod’s exterior.
Tina Thompson, Macmillan’s partnership manager for the North East and North Cumbria, said: “Our aim is to ensure that anyone affected by cancer across north Cumbria, including their family and carers, will have access to the right information and support they need throughout their cancer journey, so that they can make the best decisions for themselves about their treatment and their lives.
“As the service develops there will be a team of trained volunteers on hand to answer any questions, lend a listening ear and provide vital information and support on everything from local support groups to help with any financial problems a cancer diagnosis can create. All visitors to the centre will be able to access booklets, leaflets and other sources of information, free of charge.”
Kiyla Murray, lead cancer nurse at NCIC, said: “The Macmillan pod is a fantastic addition to the cancer services already provided at North Cumbria Integrated Care. The centre will provide a friendly environment for patients, carers and family members. A new quiet room will also be available to provide a private consultation area.
“With addition to existing information leaflets the centre will provide support and access to QR code information to enhance digital access. Information support workers and volunteers will be available to offer guidance and signpost service users to other local support services.”
Members of Macmillan’s Information and Support Service team will run the centre, alongside several trained volunteers.
They will signpost anyone with a cancer diagnosis, or who is concerned about cancer, including family, friends and carers, as well as clinicians and health care professionals, to other local support services and provide a facility to help people to live with, and beyond, cancer.
Anyone affected by cancer can contact the centre on 01228 814283 or 07721 236489 (answer phone available) or email [email protected], Monday to Friday (excluding bank holidays).
