“The content provided in this leaflet meets the requirements of the external cancer quality standards which details the need for personal/named contact information.”

In association with

How can I help reduce healthcare associated infections? Infection control is important to the well-being of our patients and for that reason we have infection control procedures in place. Keeping your hands clean is an effective way of preventing the spread of infections. We ask that you, and anyone visiting you, use the hand rub (special gel) available at the main entrance of the hospital and at the entrance to every ward before coming in to and after leaving the ward or hospital. In some situations hands may need to be washed at the sink using soap and water rather than using the hand rub. Staff will let you know if this is the case. www.buckshealthcare.nhs.uk If you require an interpreter or need a document in another language, large print, Braille or audio version please ask for assistance. Author: Issue date: Reviewed: Review date:

CEISS Team May 2010 May 2013 May 2015

Leaflet code: Version:

CISS-10 5

The Cancer Education, Information and Support Service

Information for Patients Ensuring people affected by cancer have access to good quality, comprehensive and appropriate information and support

Our address and useful websites

Who are we?

Cancer Education, Information and Support Service, Cancer Care and Haematology Unit (CCHU), Stoke Mandeville Hospital, Mandeville Road, Aylesbury, Buckinghamshire HP21 8AL Tel: 01296 316954

The Cancer Education, Information and Support Service at Stoke Mandeville Hospital and Wycombe Hospital has been developed to ensure people affected by cancer have access to good quality, comprehensive and appropriate information and support.

Email: [email protected]

The service is staffed by Macmillan Cancer Information and Support Facilitators and supported by trained volunteers.

Website: www.buckshealthcare.nhs.uk Tel: 01296 315000 Cancerline 0808 808 0000 www.macmillan.org.uk

We can put you in touch with complementary therapists, Citizens Advice Bureau advisors, and other local and national support groups.

What we offer

Information Prescriptions www.nhs.uk/IPS

We offer information and support to anyone who has concerns about cancer including patients, their relatives, friends and carers. A drop in service, is available at Stoke Mandeville Hospital where facilitators are available to speak to you or you can book an appointment. If you would like to speak to a facilitator at Wycombe Hospital, appointments can be made for a Tuesday morning. To book an appointment please call 01296 316954.

Information We have a wide selection of free booklets and free leaflets for you to take away. Some of these resources are suitable for people with special needs or are available in different languages. An interpreting service is available on request. Free internet access and WiFi is also available in the Cancer Care and Haematology Unit (CCHU) at Stoke Mandeville.

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Also available in the information area at Stoke Mandeville Hospital is advice and support in accessing individual tailored Information Prescriptions (IPS).

Support

How to find us At Stoke Mandeville Hospital: Enter Stoke Mandeville Hospital at Entrance 2.

If you would like to talk to someone, the Macmillan Information Support Facilitators can listen to you and discuss how cancer is affecting your life.

Continue to drive to the bottom of the road and then turn left. Keep going until you come to a building on your right, this is the Cancer Care and Haematology Unit.

Other support services

Please report to the reception.

All cancer patients being treated within the Buckinghamshire Healthcare NHS Trust, are entitled to use the following services within the Cancer Education Information and Support Service.

Parking

Complementary therapies As the name implies, these therapies are designed to complement and be used alongside the normal medical treatments, which aim to improve both the physical and mental wellbeing of cancer patients in the unit. Our therapists are qualified volunteers who provide treatments in massage, aromatherapy, reflexology, reiki, Indian head massage and relaxation . Our aim is to provide up to four free sessions for cancer and haematology oncology patients and if appropriate (and time allows) to family and carers of patients. Sessions may take place in the designated therapy rooms, chemotherapy treatment areas or on the wards at Stoke Mandeville and Wycombe Hospitals.

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Pay on exit parking is available outside although spaces are limited. Other Pay and Display parking is also available close by.

At Wycombe Hospital: Enter Wycombe Hospital at the main entrance No. 1 Turn right and take the lift (or stairs) to the 5th floor. Turn right out of the lift and you will see The Sunrise Unit. Please report to the reception. Parking Pay and Display parking is available outside although spaces are limited. Other Pay and Display parking is also available close by.

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How to contact us At Stoke Mandeville Hospital: The Cancer Education, Information and Support Service is based in the Cancer Care and Haematology Unit. We are open: Monday - Friday 9.30am - 4.00pm Macmillan Cancer Information Facilitators are available on site to offer support and information. We have a dedicated phone line and voicemail for the service on 01296 316954. At Wycombe Hospital: The Cancer Education, Information and Support Service provides an outreach service based in the Sunrise Cancer Unit on the 5th floor of the hospital. We offer a drop in service on the second and fourth Tuesday of the month when a member of the Cancer Education, Information and Support Service is available to speak to you. We also have a selection of free booklets and leaflets to take away. We have a dedicated phone line and voicemail for the service on 01296 316954, please call this number if you would like to make an appointment.

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During the first session, a health assessment will take place. Treatments take between half an hour to an hour in a quiet room set up specifically for complementary therapies or in the chemotherapy treatment room. For many therapies there is no need to remove your clothing. Macmillan citizens advice benefits advisor A Macmillan citizens advice bureau advisor (CAB) is available for free advice sessions for cancer and haematology oncology patients and their families on Thursdays and Fridays at Stoke Mandeville Hospital in the Cancer Care and Haematology Unit. Advice and support is offered on benefits, employment, relationships and consumer issues, housing, and immigration for cancer patients of the Buckinghamshire Healthcare NHS Trust. Wig supply and fitting service Some cancer treatments can cause hair loss or thinning. We have a contract with Raoul wig makers who supply and fit wigs on Monday mornings at Stoke Mandeville Hospital in the Cancer Education Information and Support area and Monday afternoons at Wycombe Hospital in the Sunrise Cancer Unit. If you are advised that your treatment may cause hair loss or thinning, a nurse will give you a signed wig supply form, this form authorises the supply of the wig and gives details of how to book an appointment. During the appointment a wide range of wigs are available to look at and try on, with the advice of an experienced fitter. Please read our leaflet ‘Wig Supply & Fitting Service for Cancer/Haematology /Oncology patients’ for more information.

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Relaxation sessions Group and individual seated relaxation sessions for cancer patients, relatives and carers with calming words and music. Sessions last one hour based within the CCHU at Stoke Mandeville Hospital. Creative arts group The creative arts group is based within the Cancer Care and Haematology Unit at Stoke Mandeville Hospital. It is available to all cancer patients who are attending the unit/Trust for cancer care and their relatives/carers. The aim of the group is to provide recreation and relaxation, and is offered as an aspect of holistic care in the context of caring for the whole person. Activities focus on visual arts using a range of media. A variety of art materials are used and step-by-step guidance is provided by the facilitator, individually, and as part of the group work. A relaxing atmosphere is created with background music. Moving on with Confidence course This is a six week course for people after cancer treatment. It is aimed at helping you cope and adjust better to life after your cancer treatment with more confidence and to move on. The focus will be on three main themes: • Emotional effects (ie feelings, coping, relationships). • Practical effects (ie work, leisure, financial issues). • Physical effects (ie diet, fatigue, coping with side effects of treatment). To make an appointment for any of the services above, contact: Stoke Mandeville Hospital - 01296 316954 4

Support groups that take place in the Activity Room within Cancer, Education Information and Support are: Lymphoma Association Support Group Meeting are held on the 3rd Wednesday of alternate months 7.30 -9.00pm. If you would like to find out more please contact: Theresa on 01525 221288 or Pat on 01296 614062 Sunflower Club (for patients with lung cancer or mesothelioma and their carers). This group meets every fortnight from 10.00am – 12 noon on alternate Tuesdays, the club is open to patients and their main carer or family member. For more information about this group please speak to your Lung Cancer Nurse Specialist: Jill Mowforth: Hayley Steiner:

Wycombe Stoke Mandeville

01494 426231 01296 315649

Lavender Girls (for patients with a gynaecological cancer). This group meets once a month on a Tuesday from 10.00am – 12 noon. For more information please telephone the Gynae Oncology CNS: Francesca Lis on 01296 316863 (answer phone available) or to book on a session please contact Sandy Barnett on 01296 316537.

For further information regarding other local or National Support Groups please telephone: 01296 316954 5