CANCER services in the county have received a £340,000 funding boost for a new Dorset Macmillan Cancer Information Service.

Macmillan Cancer Support and the Dorset Cancer Partnership said the service for people living with and beyond a cancer diagnosis will ensure cancer patients, their families and carers can access information and support.

The funding covers the recruitment of three staff as well as the expansion of a mobile service provided by Wessex Cancer Trust and the development of skilled volunteers through two local voluntary organisations, Dorset Advocacy and Help and Care.

Dorset Clinical Commissioning Group, who will manage the project, hope to start recruitment in September 2017 of the new specialist roles which include a project manager and two project officers, with all post holders in place by January 2018.

Debbie Fleming, Chair of Dorset Cancer Partnership said: “We are delighted to receive this funding from Macmillan, which will enable us to enhance access to vital information and services for people living with and beyond cancer in Dorset.

“The service will focus on improving access to cancer information across the whole of Dorset, Bournemouth and Poole, whether that be from a GP surgery, hospital, community facility or online.”

Chris Scally, Macmillan Partnership Manager for the Wessex region said: “By working with hospitals, primary care, voluntary sector groups and patient support groups this service will help provide the right care, support and information for people in Dorset. This is the largest investment by Macmillan in the Wessex region this year and I’d like to thank the fundraisers and people who donate to Macmillan as this project would not be possible without their superb efforts.”

To support Macmillan Cancer Support go to macmillan.org.uk/get-involved.

For support, information or any questions about cancer, call Macmillan Cancer Support free on 0808 808 00 00 (Monday to Friday, 9am–8pm) or visit macmillan.org.uk.