Macmillan: practical support for patients

A Q&A with Macmillian’s General Manager in Northern Ireland, Heather Monteverde.

Who are Macmillan Cancer Support?

We are a UK-wide charity that was founded over 100 years ago to improve cancer care. As well as improving treatment, founder Douglas Macmillan also helped cancer patients who were living in poverty because of their illness.

Macmillan has been working with partners in Northern Ireland for decades to improve cancer care and to help meet the needs that patients have beyond the medical, by offering emotional, practical and financial support.

Why do people with cancer need financial support?

A diagnosis of cancer often brings with it the double whammy of increased costs and a reduction in income. Many cancer patients can’t work because of their illness or the side effects of their treatment. However, travelling to hospital and paying the higher fuel bills that very often result from feeling the cold more after treatment, can put a huge amount of financial pressure on them. Research has found cancer patients worry about money only second to worrying about pain so it is an issue that causes a lot of distress.

How does Macmillan help cancer patients who have financial problems?

Working with partners such as the Citizens Advice Bureau, we have put in place benefits advice services in the cancer centre in Belfast and the four cancer units. These services are focused on those who are newly diagnosed, going through treatment or receiving palliative care. Macmillan also offers benefits advice via its support line to anyone affected by cancer: 0808 808 0000. Macmillan gives out grants to cancer patients with financial problems. Last year we helped 2,154 people in Northern Ireland with fundraising worth £619,000, with 75% per cent of applicants seeking help to pay fuel bills.

Does the welfare reform agenda pose problems for cancer patients?

Macmillan believed that many of the proposed welfare reform changes would be detrimental to cancer patients. We raised these concerns with the UK Government and the Northern Ireland Executive, as well as feeding them into the Harrington Review on Work Capability assessments.

Our evidence contributed to the UK Government announcing changes that should mean most people waiting for, receiving or recovering from, cancer treatment should get Employment Support Allowance without having to go through a stressful medical assessment. Our lobbying also contributed to the Government dropping plans to double the waiting time for the Personal Independence Payment to six months.

While these moves are positive, we are still concerned about the wider impacts of welfare reform.

Why do cancer patients need benefits or financial help? Shouldn’t they go back to work after treatment?

Most cancer patients want to get back to work but the effects of treatment can last for many months and even years so it’s vitally important they are supported until they are fully recovered. We also want to help those who are ready to get back to work. Macmillan has developed resources for employers and patients to help them deal with the issue of cancer in the workplace.

Macmillan contacts:

To get support from Macmillan, call 0808 808 0000 or visit www.macmillan.org.uk
To contact our fundraising support centre, call 0300 1000 200
If you want to contact us about our work in Northern Ireland or find out about working in partnership, contact Macmillan’s head office in Belfast on 028 9070 8610