Harlow cancer outreach service next to face cuts

A CANCER outreach service which provides help and support to patients and families living in Harlow is set to become the latest victim of cutbacks, the Star can reveal.

NHS West Essex is poised to lay off three members of staff at the Cancer Information Service in Addison House while scaling back the scope of its work in the community.

Addison House

This currently includes home visits to discuss patients’ concerns in private and the provision of respite support for carers.

It remains unclear what impact the planned changes will have on the service’s extensive network of volunteers, who provide practical help with shopping, gardening and transport to and from hospital.

A PCT spokesman said the service would be “refocused” on the provision of health information.

“The Cancer Information Service currently offers a service beyond the scope of what the NHS would normally provide,” he said. “It is proposed that the service is reduced by three staff – amounting to the equivalent of two full time employees– with a shift in focus away from support that is not directly health-related.

“It is proposed that this service will be delivered by a senior nurse and a supporting administrator and will signpost and help to navigate people with cancer, and their families and carers, through complex care pathways where appropriate.”

 He added that consultation with staff over possible redundancies started on Friday.

One of the service’s volunteers, who asked to remain anonymous, said he was concerned patients would be “left out in the cold” as a result of the cuts.

“The PCT is trying to make these callous cutbacks very discreetly, but the fact is they will have a huge impact on patients and their families who rely on this service for advice and support,” he said.

“Although there are lots of volunteers willing to help out as best we can, we don’t have the training or expertise the nurses here have. If they go the service might as well fold.”

Harlow MP Rob Halfon, who has already written to Health Secretary Andrew Lansley to complain about NHS West Essex’s handling of the closure of the Harlow One Stop Shop, said he was shocked by the PCT’s latest plans.

“What I can't understand is why this seems to be happening without any consultation with the users of this fantastic service or its dedicated staff,” he said.

“I am very concerned and have contacted the PCT asking for further information about it.”