New cancer support centre opens in Livingston

Sep 24 2009 by Marjorie Kerr, West Lothian Courier

A NEW centre providing care and support for people affected by cancer has been officially opened.

The West Lothian Cancer Information and Support Centre is a drop-in service at Carmondean Connected on Deans North Road in Livingston, staffed by an experienced Macmillan cancer nurse and trained volunteers.

The new service, which has already welcomed almost 200 people through its doors since it opened earlier this year, is a partnership between Macmillan, West Lothian Council and NHS Lothian.

The centre was officially opened by volunteer Nan McDonald, who has breast cancer.

Nan who is from West Lothian, has dedicated the last decade to making life better for people affected by cancer.

At the launch, she also received a Macmillan award in recognition of her work.

And centre manager, Rosie Small, said she is hopeful of the centre’s success.

She said: “A cancer diagnosis brings with it all kinds of questions and uncertainties and being able to find the right information is vital at this stressful time.

“This new service will mean that people affected by cancer in West Lothian will be able to get the information and support they need from trained cancer specialists, right on their doorstep.”

Mother-of-two Janice Macindoe was diagnosed with breast cancer last year and is grateful for the support she received at The West Lothian Cancer Information and Support Centre.

The 48-year-old, of Blackburn, said: “The support I’ve received has been tremendous.

“After my treatment ended, I had so many questions and there were days when I felt isolated or a bit down.

“The staff and volunteers are so understanding and it really helped to be able to drop into the centre after work and talk through my worries or concerns.”

Staff are on hand to ensure visitors get the right information from the comprehensive range of leaflets and books on cancer topics.

Stress management tips, dietary and nutritional advice, and information on complementary therapies available in the area are also available.

The service also offers visitors a comfortable environment to talk about their experiences with people who understand.

It complements existing Macmillan services in the area, including the West Lothian Macmillan Advice Team which helps people affected by cancer access financial support.

More than 600 new cases of cancer are diagnosed in West Lothian every year and in West Lothian, lung is the most common type of cancer diagnosed in men, while in women, breast cancer is the most prevalent.

Councillor Ellen Glass, West Lothian Council’s executive member for health and care, said: “We are pleased to be working in partnership with Macmillan, who offer invaluable support to those affected by cancer.

“The new support centre at Carmondean Connected in Livingston, will give the West Lothian public access to specialist cancer advice on their doorstep, which will be of great benefit to many.”

Gill Cottrell, chief nurse, West Lothian Community Health and Care Partnership, said: “A great deal of hard work has gone into the development of the centre and we are delighted that it is now ready and available to patients locally.

“It will provide a wide range of information and services to support people coping with cancer and its location will make it accessible for people around West Lothian.

“The opening of this centre demonstrates a good example of partnership working for the benefit of local patients.”

The centre is open on Tuesdays, from 10am until noon, and from 4pm to 6pm. Visitors are welcome on Thursday from 1.30 to 3.30pm and from 5 to 7pm, as well as Fridays from 9.30 to 11.30am.

To find out more about how the service can help you, telephone 01506 777604/2 or e-mail rosie.small@wlt.scot.nhs.uk.

Cancer information and support is also available by contacting the Macmillan Cancer Line on 0808 808 2020 or www.macmillan.org.uk.