Involving 'users' in the development of cancer services and improving the monitoring of cancer across the country is one of the Government's priorities in providing patient-centred care. Each of the Cancer Networks has been given funding to enable them to establish partnership groups which will allow them to gain the views and opinions of people affected by cancer about the cancer services in their local area, and to assist with the design of NHS services as a whole.

The Lancashire & South Cumbria Cancer Partnership Group was formed in October 2001 and has made significant progress in developing links with the local cancer units and becoming involved in the decision making process locally. It provides cancer patients and their carers with a powerful voice to express their opinion on how cancer services could be improved in the short-term and how they should be developed in the future.

Who can join the Group?

Any patient or carer who is receiving, or has received, care or treatment can become a member of the Cancer Partnership Group as and when a vacancy arises.

The group is currently made up of 20 current and former cancer patients or carers and 10 health professionals. The group is chaired by a patient member and the vice-chair is a health professional. The patient members are working very closely with the Cancer Unit in their home area.

Cancer Units and other organisations covered by the group are:

Central Lancashire Cancer Unit - comprising Lancashire Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust (Royal Preston Hospital, Sharoe Green Hospital, Chorley & South Ribble District General Hospital), St Catherine's Hospice, Cancer Care (Vine House).

East Lancashire Cancer Unit - comprising East Lancashire Hospitals NHS Trust (Queens Park Hospital, Blackburn Royal Infirmary, Burnley, Pendle and Rossendale Hospitals), East Lancs Hospice, Pendleside Hospice and Rossendale Hospice.

Fylde Cancer Unit - comprising Blackpool, Fylde & Wyre Hospitals NHS Trust, Trinity Hospice.

Morecambe Bay Cancer Unit - comprising Morecambe Bay Hospitals NHS Trust (Furness General Hospital, Westmorland General Hospital and Royal Lancaster Infirmary), St John's Hospice, St Mary's Hospice

Comprehensive training is provided by Cancer Link for every new member of the Cancer Partnership group and support continues with the assistance of Sue Kraft, Cancer Partnership Group Facilitator.

CancerVOICES is a UK wide network of people affected by cancer who are helping to shape the future of cancer care. They provide relevant skills training and support that is tailored to meet the needs of people who want to get involved.

Website: www.cancervoices.org.uk

Want to know more?

If you are interested and would like further information on the Lancashire & South Cumbria Cancer Partnership Group please contact Jeanette Smalley on 01772 647040 or via email on jeanette.smalley@clha.nhs.uk. Alternatively, you can download the CPG leaflet and post it to the Cancer Network office - address details can be found on the leaflet.

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