Right By You: What would you change about local cancer support services in West Dorset?

To help test an integrated care model to improve the effectiveness of assessments and care planning for people affected by cancer, we were asked by Macmillan Cancer Support to carry out a baseline engagement to find out people's current experience of getting support, what worked well and not so well.

This was done through an online survey (105 responses in Dorset) and 37 face-to-face interviews in Dorset during January & February 2020. Most of the people we spoke to were cancer patients or carers/family members.

The majority of people who took part are aged between 55-74, identified as female and White British. Through our engagement we targeted areas of deprivation in Weymouth/Portland.

Key recommendations

People would like to see a range of good quality individualised support provided in community settings and at hospital, throughout their journey, including after treatment. This support should be close to home and easily accessed 24/7.
Scope and map support available to improve signposting, developing robust ways to promote and make it easy to access existing information about the wide range of national and local cancer support groups across the area.
Review current models and develop opportunities for people affected by cancer to share experiences and find solutions on the issues that matter to them.
Proactively review feedback from and engage with seldom heard groups to inform the pilot and evaluate the experiences of people with 'protected characteristics'.
The need for carers to receive support and information should be recognised.

Read our report

If you would like this report in a different format, email enquiries@healthwatchdorset.co.uk or call 0300 111 0102.