THE end of a 'unique' nursing scheme which provided vital support to cancer patients has been described as a 'sad day for west Cumbria'.

The Macmillan Community Cancer Nursing Service (MCCN) was one of the first of its kind in the country and was piloted in west Cumbria where there is a higher prevalence of cancer.

Launched in 2021 by the local NHS Trust in partnership with national charity Macmillan Cancer Support, the service was delivered by a specialist team of cancer matrons, nurses and wellbeing coaches to provide more personalised care in the community.

North Cumbria Integrated Care NHS Foundation Trust and Macmillan Cancer Support say the pilot scheme has now ended and the outcomes are being reviewed ‘to build a business case for a community service that meets the needs of patients across the whole of north Cumbria’.

Joyce Matthews, a Macmillan community matron who retired in April, said: “Ours was a unique service and one that could not be provided by any other single agency.

“We developed trusting relationships with these patients and their carers and often became the first point of call when they became distressed.

“Very importantly, we provided a shoulder to cry on. We would sort out blunders such as the patients getting lost in the system and we would liaise with the GPs.

“What will the patients and their carers do now the service is closing? They will return to the quagmire of a failing NHS.

“They will not always know where to turn when things go wrong, they will not know that treatments are available to alleviate their symptoms, they will not be able to get past the GP receptionists for a GP appointment, not realising that their symptoms require emergency treatment.

“Patients and their carers may suffer physically and psychologically as a consequence. This is a sad day for people affected by cancer in west Cumbria, an area chosen for the pilot due to its lack of provision of cancer services. My heart goes out to you all.”

Christine Wharrior, of the We Need West Cumberland Hospital campaign group, said: “I’m disgusted by the short notice of withdrawal of services.

“The community deserves far more respect from a charity it has supported and needed. It shows little compassion or understanding for the feelings of the west Cumbria population.”

Michael Yare, Macmillan’s strategic partnership manager for the North and North West, said, on behalf of Macmillan and North Cumbria Integrated NHS Care NHS Foundation Trust: “Since 2021, a pilot has been in place in west Cumbria to give support to those living with cancer in their own homes.

“This pilot has now ended and North Cumbria Integrated Care NHS Foundation Trust and Macmillan Cancer Support are reviewing the outcomes in order to build a business case for a community service that meets the needs of patients to live well with cancer across the whole of north Cumbria. We would like to thank patients who took part in the pilot.

“Macmillan continues to support people affected by cancer across Cumbria with clinical nurse specialists based at hospital trusts across the county, Information and Support Centres located in Barrow-in-Furness and Carlisle and we also recently invested over £100,000 to develop the cancer nursing workforce in north Cumbria.”

A spokesperson for North Cumbria Integrated Care NHS Foundation Trust added: “The community cancer service between Macmillan and North Cumbria Integrated Care NHS Foundation Trust was a pilot to help us better understand the needs of our communities.

“The pilot has now ended and has provided us with valuable and rich data. Both organisations will now work together to use the data to develop a business case for a new community cancer support service that will benefit more people across the whole of north Cumbria.

“We are grateful to all those who took part in the pilot since 2019 and we are excited to work with Macmillan Cancer Support on the next stage. We are in the process of referring all active patients (around 20 people) to other services for support.”

Anyone affected by cancer can contact Macmillan’s Information and Support Centre at Cumberland Infirmary on 01228 814283 / 07721 236489 or email cancerinformation@ncic.nhs.uk, Monday to Friday (excluding Bank Holidays).

Macmillan’s national support line is also available on 0808 808 00 00, seven days a week (8am – 8pm).