Due to the success of the psycho-oncology service we have been able to assess the changing needs of our clients throughout their cancer journey and this has lead to plans to expand and improve our services by: -

• Providing additional counselling hours
• Setting up and running a buddying service, which would involve recruiting and providing training and support for approximately 12 volunteers who would like to provide emotional support and friendship to those people going through their cancer journey who feel that they would like some extra support but don’t require counselling. (We believe that the need for this service is considerable).
• Increased training and clinical supervision for health professionals and volunteers
• Complementary therapies
• Workshops and support groups

We are confident that we are providing a much needed service to our clients here at Manx Cancer Help and we are keen to keep growing in line with their identified needs. Approximately 45% of our clients are caring for a loved one with cancer, which really brings home the need for easily accessible, specialist help and support for anybody who needs it at a very difficult time in their lives which can often include supporting a family through the loss of their loved one if their treatment is unsuccessful.

It is now well-acknowledged that people with cancer and indeed, other seriously debilitating chronic illnesses, can have significant associated psychological problems.  These sort of emotional and mental health problems can range from mild apprehension to significant and debilitating chronic depression and anxiety.  It is critically important, as acknowledged by contemporary NHS guidance, that people with cancer and chronic illness are offered good quality information and psychological care.  This care should be tailored to the needs of the individual and should range from short-term counselling through to long-term mental health therapy and furthermore individuals should have access to a range of information, which itself can help the process of adapting to cancer and chronic illness.

In most UK cities patients with cancer have a facility where they can access psychological support and good quality information.  Increasingly, such centres are available for people with other chronic, long-term, illnesses.  These centres offer quality-assured and evidence-based information and support, which not only improve the individuals quality of life but, arguably, their quantity of life.  There is, for example, some evidence that mental state can improve longevity in patients with some types of cancer.

The Isle of Man has drawn on the experience of Professor Robin Davidson who developed such a centre in Belfast.  This was funded by Macmillan Cancer Support and the Belfast City Hospital Trust.  Essentially, the centre offered a range of supportive interventions for individuals with cancer.  Key to this is that a centre is fit for purpose, ie that it is appropriate for the population it serves.  A drop-in centre in the Isle of Man will, of necessity, be different to such a centre in the south of England or in Scotland.

Professor Davidson has advised we draw from the experience of others who have established centres else where, as well as the feedback of our own patients on the island.  A proposed centre should include the following:

1. Psychological service for patients with significant and serious psychological problems associated with cancer and other chronic illnesses.
2. Counselling service for patients who have more transient difficulties adjusting to their illness and impaired lifestyle.
3. Good quality information which is both available and accessible.
4. Complementary therapy services.  It is proposed that the centre would offer complementary therapies with the aim of enhancing general wellbeing. This would include aromatherapy and reflexology.
5. Good quality and immediate legal advice from a trained Citizen Advice Bureau advisor.
6. The centre would offer a facility for community support groups to work with clients.  Such groups could include, for example, support groups for particular cancers, and groups for people who have suffered bereavement.  The centre would be a community resource in Douglas, but be easily accessible to clients and patients.

We have identified a building which would meet the criteria. The current need for funding is £800,000 to buy the building.  The centre would also act a potential base for other charities on the island. It is hoped that this would significantly reduce the ongoing administrative costs and allow Manx Cancer Help to appoint counsellors, psychotherapists, complementary therapists as necessary.