A cancer recovery package put together by Macmillan’s Cancer Information and Support Centre in Southport with its partners, has been nominated in the prestigious Macmillan Professionals Excellence Awards.

The package for those affected by cancer in Southport, jointly designed by Macmillan, NHS Southport and Formby Clinical Commissioning Group (CCG), Southport & Ormskirk Hospital NHS Trust and Sefton Council has been shortlisted in the integration excellence category.

Aiming to help local residents move on with life after hospital treatment, the integrated package brings together a wide range of ongoing activities to support those affected by cancer to improve their physical health and mental wellbeing.

Research is showing that being physically active during and after cancer treatment helps to provide a variety of health and well-being benefits including helping to manage fatigue. The ‘Move More’ part of the programme, run by Lucy Holmes at Active Lifestyles, Sefton Council, offers its own physical and wellness activities such as a gentle circuit class and relaxation session, a low impact chair class, gym sessions, swimming and a gardening group. As well as support in helping cancer patients in becoming more aware, the Move More activities allow people to participate in targeted physical activity sessions that are readily available locally within the community.

The centre also offers the chance to get involved in community groups such as crafts and singing, it also gives emotional and financial support and also counselling to those on the programme who might need it. Along with this and a host of other activity, the group holds a health and wellbeing event three times a year bringing likeminded people together and a seven week course to help people overcome problems they face.

Dr Graeme Allan, Macmillan GP and NHS Southport and Formby CCG cancer clinical lead, said: “We have worked hard on this package to get it right and it’s a real team effort, bringing together a host of activities, advice and information to benefit people living with and beyond cancer and it’s great that we’re being recognised for that.

“We’re so pleased that people in Southport and Formby are benefiting from the programme, the main thing for us is that people in the area know there is help and support available to them. Sometimes just talking to others at our health and wellbeing event really helps people to realise they are not alone in what they are going through.”

Jackie Brunton, Southport and Ormskirk Hospital NHS Trust’s lead cancer nurse, said: “I am so pleased that the programme has been shortlisted for the award, it works because we have such a strong and special integrated partnership with Macmillan and the CCG in Southport and Formby. 

“The programme is about professionals coming together with the patient at the centre of it all. This will be a real celebration for all teams involved.” The awards ceremony will take place on Thursday 17 November at the Hilton Metropole in Birmingham.

Macmillan Cancer Information and Support Centre is a joint partnership set up by Macmillan and NHS Southport and Formby CCG, it is based on Scarisbrick Avenue in Southport. The team is on hand to offer help and support to anyone affected by cancer Monday to Friday 10am – 4pm. For more information, please visit the centre's webiste.

You can also learn more about the Macmillan Professionals Excellence Awards here.