Cancer support centre is offering telephone support during lockdown

A cancer support centre is continuing to help people living with cancer across Oldham during the latest lockdown by providing vital telephone and virtual support.

Macmillan’s Information and Support Service, based at The Christie at Oldham, remains temporarily closed to visitors due to the new national coronavirus restrictions.

However, the team is continuing to support local healthcare staff, self-isolating cancer patients and their relatives by working remotely and speaking to people on the phone, via email and virtually.

Helen Murphy (pictured), Macmillan Centre Manager at The Christie at Oldham, said: “Despite going back into lockdown, the Macmillan Information and Support Service team are still on hand to support people living with cancer, their families and healthcare staff at this incredibly difficult time either over the phone or by email.

“We are doing everything we can to adapt our services so we can continue to provide essential support to people living with cancer across Oldham during the coronavirus crisis.

“We know people rely on our support now more than ever and we are urging anyone with any worries or concerns about cancer, if they require psychological support or need to speak to their clinical teams, or are lonely and just want a chat – to please contact us, we are still here for you.”

Services available over the phone from the Macmillan Information and Support Centre include:

• Emotional and physical support
• Linking with Macmillan’s Welfare Team for financial support
• Assistance with completing benefits applications
• Help with applying for Blue Badges (subject to certain criteria being met)
• Signposting to Citizens Advice Bureau teams who can offer telephone support and advice
• Sending out Macmillan info direct to your home
• Responding to questions – via email – if further information about a cancer diagnosis or treatment is required.

Anyone affected by cancer in Oldham can contact the centre on 0161 918 7745 or helen.murphy25@nhs.net, Wednesday to Friday, 9am – 4.30pm.

Macmillan’s national support line is 0808 808 00 00 and is available, seven days a week (8am – 8pm). The latest guidance and advice on the impact of coronavirus on cancer care, is also available at www.macmillan.org.uk/coronavirus