Local cancer services need your help

Cancer service providers in Rochdale and Heywood & Middleton are holding events in March and April to get the views of local cancer patients on how services could be improved. 

The events, open to past and present cancer patients as well as carers and relatives, will look at the services which are already provided, and look for ways in which they could be made better for patients.  Participants will also be invited to join local groups to work alongside the NHS to make sure changes are driven through and remain focused on the patient’s treatment.

Venues for the meetings are the Rochdale Touchstones Centre at 5.30 -7.45pm on 30 March, and Middleton Civic Centre, at 12.30 – 2.45pm on the 4 April 2006.

Janice Sedgwick, Lead Cancer and Palliative Care Nurse for Heywood, Middleton and Rochdale, said:

“We’ve made great strides in cancer care in the last few years.  But we know things could be better.  The best people to tell us what we need to get right are those who’ve had experience of cancer care in the local area – patients, relatives, and carers who have seen the way things work up close.

“Sometimes the smallest changes are the ones which have the most effect.  We need to hear from people about all areas of the care that’s being offered – from the information and treatment they received from doctors and hospitals to issues like after-care services and even the availability of car parking.

“Anything that people can tell us will be very useful in helping us develop better services.  And anyone who can spare some time to help us in the longer term will be much appreciated.”

Commenting on the meetings, Toni Mathie, Chairwoman of the Greater Manchester and Cheshire Cancer Network, which brings together the organisations which plan and deliver cancer treatments and care, said:

“Our Patient and User Partnership groups play a key role in helping us deliver better cancer services.  Other groups across the Network area are already contributing.  And I’m sure that these meetings in Rochdale and Heywood & Middleton will bring together people and generate ideas to help us in that aim.”