News and information
Coffee, Cake and Natter
Please see our poster below for more information about our Coffee, Cake and Natter events in 2024.
These are being held in the Louise Hamilton Centre, on the James Paget hospital site from 10am to 12noon on February 8, March 14 and April 11. If you or a loved one has a cancer diagnosis you are welcome to attend.
The morning gives you the opportunity to talk to others and to have a catch up with our Navigator team who are here to provide information and support.
The team can help with all sorts of things including signposting to services, support groups, and organisations providing financial help. Free refreshments are available.
For more information please contact our Cancer Care Navigator team on 01493 452783 or email CancerSupport@jpaget.nhs.uk
Cancer Connect: Device gifting for people affected by cancer in Norfolk and Waveney
A new scheme is underway which sees people affected by cancer in Norfolk and Waveney gifted a tablet computer that will connect them to medical appointments, cancer information and support networks, as well as enabling them to keep in touch with friends and family.
The Norfolk and Waveney Health and Care Partnership cancer team has been working with local partners and Norfolk Libraries and Information Service (NLIS) to identify and support people affected by cancer and who have difficulties accessing the internet.
NLIS has set up ‘wrap-around’ support service to help people get online, this is provided face to face in libraries, by telephone, or, once people have the skill and confidence, online and via video conferencing. The library service offers a tablet with a start-up data package to people affected by cancer through the Cancer Connect Scheme. People are referred by the NHS to be part of the scheme.
Included in the scheme:
- A tablet device, delivered to your home in a COVID-19 secure manner
- Access to library support for device set up
- Access to the internet for a period of time and support to set up your own WIFI account
- Signposting
Local service user and cancer patient Ann Litchfield has been using the service. She said: “My tablet was sent to Gorleston library for me to collect and a lovely young lady called Vicky who has been so supportive and has given me some lessons on how things work, although I knew most things there were a couple of things she helped me with. Thank you for sorting this out.”
Ann Kingaby has also been using the service and has seen the benefit of being part of it. She said: “I am very grateful to have received my tablet from Cancer Connect and a huge thank you to Kris from Norfolk Library Service who has patiently provided technical support. Because of lockdown and shielding I did feel isolated from my normally busy life. It's nice to be able to join in the TAC (Together Against Cancer) meetings with Teams and to use Zoom for drama group sessions. And I am set up for supermarket deliveries if I need it anytime.
“This project has been a team effort to ensure that local people have not been isolated and have had the help they needed.”
Maggie Tween, Cancer Programme Manager for the Norfolk and Waveney health and care system, said: “Being digitally excluded creates many barriers for people, especially those diagnosed with cancer.
“Gifting a device to someone gives them access to online support and helps them to manage their health and care more conveniently with access to online health appointment bookings, cancer information and much needed support networks. It also enables people to stay connected with friends and family especially during treatment and periods of isolation.
“We are so pleased that through partnership working we have made it possible for cancer patients be able to connect, share stories and feedback.”
Julie Buckenham, Macmillan Cancer Lead Nurse at James Paget University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, said: “During the pandemic the Together Against Cancer meetings and Cancer Patient Information Sessions continued online using Teams to keep people connected. It was highlighted very early on that some patients didn’t have access to IT that left them feeling isolated and disconnected to the support they would normally have.
“The Cancer Connect project has enabled these patients to be gifted a device, shown how to use it and been given access to further IT support to enable them to use it effectively. Hearing how this has positively impacted these patients lives in so many ways, has been wonderful and heart-warming. It has enabled patients to access information and support when they need it and given them so much more confidence to re-join meetings virtually and access the vast online support that is now available.
“The joy of seeing their faces and seeing first-hand the impact it has had on their lives, has been amazing.”
The scheme is being funded by the Norfolk and Waveney Health and Care Partnership.
The local NHS in Norfolk and Waveney continues to remind people with potential cancer symptoms to come forward for life-saving checks. The NHS is open for all of us and if you suspect you might have symptoms of cancer, don’t hesitate to seek advice from your GP. Most symptoms will not be from cancer, but if they are, seeing someone quickly will give you the best chance of diagnosis at an earlier stage when cancers are easier to treat.
Visit Cancer - NHS (www.nhs.uk) symptoms for more information.
To qualify for the scheme individuals need to have had:
- Have a diagnosis of cancer
- Be over 18
- Live in Norfolk and Waveney
- Having no/limited access to the internet
- Have no suitable device
For more information and if you think you qualify for this scheme, please call the library on 01603 774777. If you have an email account you can email: libraries.iconnect@norfolk.gov.uk
The JPUH Together Against Cancer Group
The JPUH Together Against CancerGroup meet monthly. We are made up of cancer patients, carers and healthcare professionals. To find out more about the group please click on the leaflet image below or email TAC@jpaget.nhs.uk.
BIG C - Coronavirus Notice
Big C Cancer Support & Information Centres at the Norfolk & Norwich University Hospital and in Great Yarmouth are now open. Unfortunately, the Cancer Support & Information Hub in Gorleston, based within the Louise Hamilton Centre in the grounds of the James Paget University Hospital, is currently closed whilst it continues to be used as a Covid Vaccination Centre.
Service users will be required to book an appointment by phone on 0800 092 7640 before attending. Service users, staff and volunteers will be required to wear face coverings at all times, unless exempt on medical grounds.
Big C is also here if you need virtual support. Many of their cancer support services are now available over the phone and online, such as:
- Information and support from Big C Nurses and Officers available over the phone, via video chat or email.
- Online Cancer Support Group meetings via Zoom.
- Counselling available over the phone or via video chat.
- Welfare Advice in partnership with Citizens Advice.
- Virtual Drop-Ins 'Connect over a Cuppa' every Thursday at 2pm.
- Welfare Packs for those in need when isolating.
Call their free telephone support line 0800 092 7640 (Monday to Friday, 9am-5pm) or email support@big-c.co.uk
In Big C shops, staff and volunteers will continue to wear face coverings and they ask customers to continue to do the same for the safety of themselves and others.
Spotlight on Health and Wellbeing event success
The James Paget University Hospital, in partnership with East Suffolk Council and Great Yarmouth Borough Council, held a successful Health and Wellbeing event at the Park Hill Hotel in Oulton on Thursday 9 September.
The Open Doors To The Community ‘Spotlight on Health and Wellbeing’ event saw thirty-six different organisations and charities come together to share information on the services and support available.
The event was well-attended, with those coming along able to participate in free seated exercises, Tai-Chi and Yoga taster sessions, have their blood pressure checked, have a mini health check and receive reflexology, as well as having plenty of time to walk around the variety of stalls and to talk to the stall holders. The Covid Testing Team also attended the event, highlighting the necessity for regular testing in our community. The event also provided the opportunity for the different organisations to meet and network together.
Feedback has been very positive with comments about how nice it was to have a face to face event in a lovely venue, with refreshments and a buffet provided. The Park Hill Hotel very generously hosted the day and we were fortunate that the sun came out and we were able to spill out onto the lawn.
The James Paget University Hospital would like to thank the teams at East Suffolk Council and Great Yarmouth Borough Council for playing such an instrumental part in the planning and preparation of the event and for their practical help and support on the day. We would also like to thank the staff at The Park Hill Hotel for being such generous and attentive hosts. Thanks also to all the stall holders who gave up their time, and to everyone who attended and supported the event. The partnership are now starting to plan a similar health and wellbeing event for November, this time in Norfolk.
If you need some support then the Macmillan Telephone Buddies service may be able to assist.
To find out more about telephone buddies and view Macmillan's leaflet please click here.
You may also wish to find out about the counselling and wellbeing support available. To find out more about this please click here.
If you have a cancer diagnosis and would appreciate some help and support the you may like to join Macmillan Cancer Support’s Online Community.
The forum has thousands of members and you can get support 24 hours a day in a safe environment. You can ask questions, share your experiences and your emotions.
To find out more and join please visit; https://community.macmillan.org.uk/
***
If you have recently been diagnosed with cancer or if you care for someone with cancer then you may be in need of some support and advice. Our team are here to help, working in partnership with other organisations including Macmillan Cancer Support, to provide information and a supportive network.
Virtual meetings are held once a fortnight on alternate Thursdays for patients and the Cancer Companions Support Group meet once a month, on the first Thursday of the month.
Both meetings provide the opportunity to talk to others and to find out more about what support is available to you.
To find out more or to join either group please email cancersupport@jpaget.nhs.uk.
The NHS in Norfolk and Waveney are seeking your views on cancer services during the current Covid-19 pandemic.
You can read more here.
In good health – the Norfolk and Waveney Health and Care Partnership – have more information about Cancer, including how to access support and services, and more on their website here; https://norfolkandwaveneypartnership.org.uk/our-work/better_care_for_people/cancer.html
New neck lump clinic launched
We recently launched a new neck-lump diagnostic clinic. You can read more about this by clicking here.
The Pear Tree Centre has been re-opened following the coronavirus pandemic.
Please click on the logo below for more details of the community support they provide:
During the coronavirus/ COVID-19 pandemic we recognise that you may need some help and support.
Many organisations have provided additional resources for you to use and some of these are listed below. You may also wish to see our local and national support pages for links to other organisations who may be able to assist.
Cancer Research UK Covid19 support - https://www.cancerresearchuk.org/about-cancer/cancer-in-general/coronavirus-and-cancer
Macmillan Covid19 support – https://www.macmillan.org.uk/coronavirus and https://community.macmillan.org.uk/
Support line 0808 808 00 00
Macmillan have an online self-management programme called iHope. This is a six-week programme, and it is recommended you commit a minimum of two hours per week, at a time to suit you, when you have access to the internet via smartphone, tablet or PC.
Cancer patients can also access online support by joining 'Can-cervive' a local cancer support group, which has a private Facebook page. You will be asked two security questions before a member of the Admin team is able to add you to the group.
'Home but not alone' Suffolk community resilience app launched - https://www.suffolk.gov.uk/council-and-democracy/council-news/show/home-but-not-alone
Coronavirus information for people affected by breast cancer
Breast Cancer Now is committed to supporting patients during these difficult times.
They have created online information for patients who may be unsure about what coronavirus means for them and whether they have an increased risk. This has been developed by the One Cancer Voice group of charities to ensure consistent messaging on coronavirus and cancer.
Breast Cancer Now have taken the difficult decision to suspend their face-to-face service events for people affected by breast cancer at least until the end of April 2020, however you can still access their free Helpline and online Forum support services.