A partnership aimed at supporting patients and families through the physical, emotional, and financial impact of cancer will see its funding extended by a further £9m this year.

Over the next three years, a Macmillan Cancer Support programme which works to ensure everyone affected by cancer in Scotland has access to a specialist key support worker will expand.

According to the Scottish government, the Transforming Cancer Care (TCC) Programme will reach a minimum of 14,000 newly diagnosed cancer patients a year.

The new funding will support the roll-out of the Programme to every health and social care partnerships across Scotland.

Providing holistic support to patients and their families, the TCC Programme enables clinicians to spend more time on direct medical and clinical care for patients.

The first-of-its-kind partnership has received £18m to date since its launch in 2016.

Now with the latest Cancer Strategy and Action Plan, the Scottish government has committed to a further three years of funding.

As partners, Macmillan Cancer Support and the Scottish government, will each invest a further £4.5m to the Improve the Cancer Journey services.

Announcing the news ahead of a visit to NHS Forth Valley in celebration of 75 years of NHS Scotland, First Minister Humza Yousaf said:

“Our recently published Cancer Strategy and Action Plan places an emphasis on person-centred care for all and supporting the mental health of cancer patients and their families.

“We have committed to launch the final Improving the Cancer Journey service, in partnership with Macmillan, over the next three years. We will also commit to spreading this successful model to all areas in Scotland over the coming year.

“This will see an additional £9m of joint investment and ensure that everyone diagnosed with cancer in Scotland has access to a key support worker. It will be of great benefit to patients while also easing pressure on the NHS by freeing up clinicians.”

With the Improving the Cancer Journey (ICJ) model, the government aims to reach 100% of the adults diagnosed with cancer in Scotland – who will be invited or referred to an ICJ service.

This will involve speaking to a specialist practitioner who can carry out a holistic needs assessment and create a care plan to meet these needs within the person’s community.

As part of the model, the progress of care and support will also be followed-up a monitored by a specialist within the community to ensure the care is meeting each person’s needs.

Janice Preston, Head of Partnerships at Macmillan Cancer Support in Scotland, said the “unique” service will also help reduce pressure on the NHS:

“The Macmillan Improving the Cancer Journey (ICJ) Services are available for anyone affected by cancer. By the end of 2024, everyone in Scotland who needs support will have the chance to talk to an ICJ practitioner who will help individuals to identify their needs and access expert support, from benefits advice to emotional support – whatever they might need.

“This is a unique service for people affected by cancer that helps to reduce pressure on the NHS and is making a really positive difference to people living with cancer and their families. Since 2014, these vital, non-medical services have already helped over 18,500 people and this money will mean they can keep on transforming cancer support across Scotland.

“We are excited that, through our partnership with the Scottish government, another £9m is being made available to ensure people can continue to get this help for another three years.”

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