New Service Helps Hundreds in First Year
Lisa Gibbons, a breast cancer survivor from the North East, has expressed gratitude for a new Macmillan Cancer Information and Support Service at Wansbeck Hospital in Ashington. The service, launched in June 2025, has already assisted 714 individuals in its first year, providing crucial non-clinical support to patients, families, and healthcare staff.
Gibbons underwent surgery for breast cancer in 2023 and struggled to find a suitable breast prosthesis. She contacted the new service, which quickly connected her with the prosthetics service at North Tyneside General Hospital. “Having someone to talk to who understood and could point me in the right direction made a real difference,” she said.
Comprehensive Support Beyond Medical Care
The Macmillan Cancer Information and Support Service offers a wide range of assistance, including helping people understand their diagnosis and treatment options, emotional wellbeing support, financial advice, and guidance on planning for the future. It also provides information on cancer prevention and risk reduction.
According to Amanda Walshe, lead cancer nurse at Northumbria Healthcare, the team has helped patients access more than £1.26 million in financial support they were entitled to in the first year alone. “This is a great example of the high-quality, person-centred care we are committed to providing across Northumbria Healthcare,” she said.
Dedicated Team Makes a Real Difference
Fiona Cook, Macmillan information and support manager at Northumbria Healthcare, praised the team’s compassion and dedication. “They have supported hundreds of people by offering a listening ear, alongside vital emotional support, practical advice, and personalised guidance,” she said. Gibbons echoed this sentiment, stating that the team’s help made her feel less alone and more confident moving forward.
