The Southport Macmillan Centre is facing a significant threat as its key Cancer Navigator Service may lose funding. The service, currently funded by the Southport and Formby Primary Care Network (PCN), provides essential one-to-one support for cancer patients and their families, including practical, financial, and emotional assistance.
Service Details and Impact
The Cancer Navigator Service offers personalised support, saving GP time by liaising with health professionals, arranging aspects of cancer care, and providing timely financial and welfare advice. It also includes a counselling service provided free of charge at the Southport Macmillan Centre. Recently, the service developed a supportive exercise programme for cancer patients.
According to Justine Shenton, Southport Macmillan Centre Manager, the loss of funding would severely impact patients who rely on this service. She stated, "We are finding ourselves under threat of loss of funding for our key Cancer Navigator Service."
Call to Action
The centre is urging supporters to write to their GPs and MPs to reconsider the decision. A template letter is available on their website: www.southportmacmillancentre.org.uk. Residents of Southport, Birkdale, or the Northern Parishes of West Lancashire should contact Patrick Hurley MP at patrick.hurley.mp@parliament.uk. Those in Ainsdale or Formby should contact Bill Esterson MP at bill.esterson.mp@parliament.uk.
Supporters are also encouraged to inform their patient participation group and local councillor, and to share a Facebook post about the potential loss of service.
