What are Cancer Information and Support Clinics and how can they help my care?
This is a group education and support session for people and their families at or soon after the time of a cancer diagnosis. Our aim is to provide information about a range of topics relating to cancer to help you to take control and participate in your care and recovery. It is an important and necessary part of the support that we offer you so that you can make choices that are best suited to you.
The clinics provide an opportunity to meet other people with similar experiences, provide information about cancer, treatments and support available.
What will the session cover?
- What is cancer?
- The team looking after you
- What to expect from now onwards
- Potential treatment and side effects
- Work and benefit entitlements
- Practical support and information
- Emotional health and wellbeing
- Fatigue management
- Keeping active
- Eating well
There will be opportunities to ask questions during the session.
What are the benefits of the clinic?
Having an understanding about your disease, treatment, side effect management and how to maintain a healthy lifestyle can help reduce anxiety, help you to make decisions about your treatment, promote independence and improve the experience for you and your family. You are welcome to bring a relative, friend or carer along with you. Carers and families also play a vital role in supporting you and it is important that their needs for information, advice and support are also addressed.
We hope that you will be:
- More knowledgeable and confident to ask questions and make informed decisions about your health and care.
- More confident to deal with any physical and emotional concerns associated with your cancer and its treatment that can impact upon everyday life.
- Reassured, even if you don’t need services at this time you will know what’s available and how to access it in the future.
Where are the Cancer Information and Support Clinics held?
The clinic is held in the NGS Macmillan Wellbeing Centre at Southmead Hospital and is run twice a week by our Cancer Support Team.
The session lasts for approx one and a half hours with a refreshment break (tea, coffee and biscuits provided).
How to contact us:
NGS Macmillan Wellbeing Centre
Beaufort House, Southmead Hospital, Bristol BS10 5NB
Monday to Friday, 9.30am – 4pm (excluding bank holidays)
0117 414 7051
Macmillan Cancer Support
Open 7 days, 8am – 8pm
0808 808 000
If you or the individual you are caring for need support reading this leaflet please ask a member of staff for advice.
© North Bristol NHS Trust. This edition published March 2021. Review due March 2023. NBT003094