Psychological Support Project
The aim of this Macmillan funded project is to ensure that the provision of psychological services is provided to all cancer patients, carers and their families across Devon, Cornwall and the Isles of Scilly.
The Psychological Support Project aims to identify the current service provision, re-design and commission appropriate services. It also will work with patients and professionals to develop quality outcomes.
This 2 year fixed term post work with each local health care community – Devon, North Devon, Cornwall, Plymouth and South Devon.
It is expected that:
- People will be supported as early on in their cancer pathway, with onward referral to more specialist support as required.
- That there will be improved outcomes following treatment, with people living as well as possible through their cancer journey.
The overall aims of the project, as agreed with Macmillan:
- Identifying areas of good practice and areas for improvement using Patient experiences of existing services.
- Mapping of existing psychological support across cancer & non-cancer services (secondary, primary, voluntary sector).
- Identifying existing referral pathways (psychology & psychiatry) for each organisation
- Publishing a directory of existing services on the Network website
- Working with all key stakeholders to design future services. To include assessment tools, referral guidelines, patient pathways and quality outcome measures.
- Forming robust and sustainable partnerships with all mental health providers/ commissioners.
- Examining the implementation of ‘Improving Access to Psychological Therapy’ (IAPT) and the role/ suitability for cancer patients.
- Developing an option appraisal/ service redesign report for the commissioners to identify any additional investment required to implement the 4-level model across the Network.
The National Peer Review Team has developed with clinical experts, peer review measures for the delivery of psychological support. These can be seen here. (And look for Psychological Support).
For further information about this project and to feedback on what is included on this page please contact
Susan Benjamin
Macmillan Psychological Support Project Manager
Tel 01803 860672