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Cancer support workers

The role of the cancer support worker is to offer support to patients and their families, for non-medical concerns they may have.

This service is available to everyone with a diagnosis of cancer across Highland and Argyll and Bute. Contact the cancer support worker in your area to self-refer to the service:

Highland

email nhsh.cswservice@nhs.scot

Argyll and Bute

email nhsh.cswserviceab@nhs.scot

About the service

As part of this support, you will be offered an initial assessment, called a holistic needs assessment, or sometimes called a concerns checklist. Based on any concerns you may have, the support worker will create a plan of care with you, and can signpost you to trusted information, as well as local and online support groups. There are a lot of resources that you may not be aware of, and the support worker can guide you to such resources.

Some of the ways the support worker can help include:

  • helping find answers to questions about your cancer and treatment
  • putting you in touch with specialist teams who can help with money and benefits
  • helping with emotional concerns
  • connecting you with wellbeing services and support near you

The support worker is not a registered nurse, but works closely with local Macmillan community cancer nurse specialist teams. For clinical concerns, the support worker will have access to the healthcare team who are treating you and can connect you to this team if required.

The support worker is employed by NHS Highland, and adheres to NHS Highland employee confidentiality policies.

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Last updated: 29 March 2023