Specialist help is at hand for people affected by cancer after two new hospital appointments have been made.
Claire Hutchinson and Linzi Kinnaird have been appointed as Macmillan information Officers working in the Scunthorpe and Grimsby areas of Northern Lincolnshire respectively.
Claire is a former nurse of 33 years, including eight spent working as a Macmillan breast care nurse specialist. She came back from retirement late last year to join the team at Scunthorpe General Hospital and now uses her clinical background and extensive knowledge of local services, support organisations and community groups to guide patients with any form of cancer and their loved ones.
Linzi also has some 20 years’ NHS experience under her belt, having previously worked in a variety of patient-facing roles before joining the Macmillan team in Grimsby. Having also lost two close family members to cancer, Linzi also has a deeply personal motivation for wanting to help others.
Linzi (below, right) says:
“Having lost both my mum and grandad to cancer, and having seen how well the nurses and the other staff cared for them, I’m really passionate about making a difference for other patients and families.
“Receiving a cancer diagnosis is difficult enough for people, so my job is to try and make the cancer journey that follows as stress-free as possible. I help patients and families with the ‘what now?’ and that covers everything from financial support and wellbeing activities to help with NHS services and even how to tell the children.
“I really enjoy meeting our patients and helping in any way I can. I get a lot of enjoyment out of fitting wigs for patients; bringing an element of fun, seeing them smiling and having a laugh with them makes it all worthwhile.”
Claire (above) says:
“I’ve been a nurse for well over 30 years and I’ve been privileged to care for some really courageous and memorable patients in that time.
“Every person’s cancer journey is different, so every person’s needs will be different; some will want to talk about how they feel, meet others in the same boat and gets lots of information, while others may want to walk their journey more quietly or independently.
“What’s key for me is being there when people are ready to seek help; that could be something as simple as a quick chat, or it could be help liaising between different health professionals or sourcing things like benefits advice or support for carers.
“At such a difficult time in a person’s life, it can be hard to take everything in but there really is a wealth of support and information available. There’s no such thing as a silly question, so whatever it is, if it’s niggling at you or it’s keeping you awake at night, get in touch as and we’ll do as much as we possibly can to help.”
Both Scunthorpe General Hospital and Diana, Princess of Wales Hospital in Grimsby now boast dedicated Macmillan Information Centres where visitors are able to access:
- Information on different types of cancer, including written information in easy-read format
- Information on cancer treatments
- Wig fitting service
- Referrals to other support services
- Lifestyle advice, such as working or exercising when you have cancer
- Access to complementary therapies
- Financial, benefits and employment advice for those undergoing cancer treatment
- Support for those caring for someone with a cancer diagnosis
- Wellbeing advice for people who have completed cancer treatment
- Advice on reducing the risks of developing cancer
- Confidential space to talk and ask questions
- Information and support for families and children, including referrals to charities that offer special days and experiences
- Access to/referrals to health and wellbeing events and services
- A quiet, safe space to sit and simply have a moment to yourself with refreshments provided
The Macmillan Information Centre at Diana, Princess of Wales Hospital in Grimsby is open:
- Tuesdays, 9am to 4:00pm
- Wednesdays, 9:00am to 4:00pm
- Thursdays, 9:00am to 3:30pm
Telephone: 03033 303826
Email: [email protected]
The Macmillan Information Centre at Scunthorpe General Hospital is open:
- Tuesdays, 9am to 3:30pm
- Wednesdays, 8:30am to 3:30pm
- Thursdays, 8:30am to 3:30pm
Telephone: 03033 305372 (answerphone out-of-hours for non-urgent enquiries)
Email: [email protected]