IMPROVING psychological support for patients in Worcestershire battling cancer was the topic of discussion at a county-wide event attended by healthcare workers and members of the public earlier this month.

The event at Worcestershire Royal Hospital on Monday, October 20 was arranged by Macmillan Cancer Support along with Coventry and Warwickshire Partnership NHS Trust and saw consultant clinical psychologist Dr June Highfield present her initial findings in a project funded by the charity working to identify where services can be improved.

Among her findings were that no psychological support is available to some patients with some specific types of cancer in Worcestershire and that 17 per cent of people whose partners have died of the disease suffer depression within the first year of their bereavement.

Dr Highfield said: “This event harnessed the huge amount of enthusiasm and support in Worcestershire for establishing an equitable psychological service for all cancer patients, their families and those who provide the medical care.

“Following this event we have established the relationships to take this agenda forward and to develop a wider psychological service for those not only affected by cancer, but also other health conditions too.”

Development manager with Macmillan Monica Burchell said she was pleased by the commitment shown by those who attended the event to improving support for cancer patients.

“No one should face cancer alone and we need to ensure emotional wellbeing is prioritised alongside physical wellbeing to support people to live well with and after cancer,” she said.

For more information on Macmillan call 0808 808 0000 or visit www.macmillan.org.uk.