NORTHERN Devon Healthcare NHS Trust is working on a project in partnership with Macmillan Cancer Support to improve the quality of life for people with cancer in northern Devon thanks to a Holsworthy woman.

The ‘Living With and Beyond Cancer Project’ is focused on ensuring all cancer patients have access to support, feel that their needs are understood and feel enabled to take an active role in their care.

To complement the developments that are happening through this project, the counselling team launched their first counselling outreach project in northern Devon at Holsworthy Community Hospital in October 2018.

The service is being highlighted by Dawn Ensor from Holsworthy, who herself is a cancer survivor. She said: “As a cancer survivor myself I have found there is very limited help and advice in the Holsworthy area.

“The nearest outreach that Force offer is at Okehampton, not very handy. I approached Macmillan and Force highlighting the difficulties that cancer patients undergoing treatment have travelling to Exeter (RD&E) or Barnstaple (NDDH) for services.

“Macmillan were really helpful and the cancer counselling services for patients, survivors and their families in Holsworthy Hospital is the result. However the service has to be used or it will be lost. Talks with Force continue to try and bring chemotherapy, complimentary therapy and financial advice to Holsworthy.”

Project lead Steven Johnson-Wood said: “Cancer can affect many areas of a person’s life, not just their physical health, and counselling can help people cope better with the difficulties faced during and after cancer diagnosis and treatment. The counselling team at Northern Devon Healthcare NHS Trust recognise that their services are incredibly valued by patients and we’re really pleased that the cancer care counselling service is now available in Holsworthy, bringing this service closer to home for the Holsworthy community and adding to the variety of clinics, services and groups offered at the hospital.”

Jessica French, lead cancer care counsellor for North Devon, said: “A diagnosis of cancer is life-changing for patients and their families. Psychologically, it’s common for patients to find themselves grieving for their old lives before cancer, or struggling to feel connected to their ‘new normal’ once they are in remission and treatment comes to an end. The experience of being diagnosed and treated for cancer may have resulted in changes to their body which can cause body image issues — many find it hard to ‘trust’ their bodies again. Cancer also impacts relationships, many can experience communication difficulties after family dynamics change, or sexual and intimacy issues due to the effects of treatment and surgery.

“All of these things can change the way a person sees themselves, and challenge the sense of meaning they hold in their lives. If someone’s feelings are stopping them from living normally for a long period of time, they may need extra help. Counselling offers individuals a safe and confidential space, free of judgment, to explore how they feel, and it can also help them to find strategies that help them to empower themselves.”

People can get in touch with this outreach project by contacting the counselling service at North Devon District Hospital on 01271 334472 or [email protected].

For more information about the Living With and Beyond Cancer Project, visit www.northdevonhealth.nhs.uk/services/living-with-and-beyond-cancer