‘Dementia link to sudden low blood pressure and dizziness’
October 13, 2024
Since 2009, the city council has been working with Macmillan Cancer Support to develop services for patients and their families.
Tomorrow, members of the council’s executive committee will be asked to approve plans for a scheme that will make it easier for people to get the help and support they need.
About £3.2million over a five-year period has been secured from Macmillan Cancer Support to develop this service.
About 20,000 patients in Glasgow have the disease and this figure is expected to increase.
City Treasurer Paul Rooney said: “If we consider the impact on families and carers of cancer sufferers, there will be about 70,000 Glaswegians affected by a cancer diagnosis by 2030.”
A recent survey found almost half of those caring for people with cancer said they received no support, with many saying they suffered from stress or anxiety as a result.
It also found more than a third of healthcare professionals do not ask if a patient has any support and more than half of patients decided to skip treatment because they had no help from family or friends.
Three quarters of people with the disease wish to die at home but almost half died in Glasgow acute hospitals. The Scottish national average is 29%.
A massive 91% of patient households suffer loss of income and increase in expenses as a direct consequences of the diagnosis.
The aim of the new project is to make it easier for patients and their carers to get the help they need.
Mr Rooney said: “The project aims to bring about a change in attitudes and behaviours of health care practitioners and all other professionals who have a responsibility for treatment, support, information and advice to those with cancer, their families and carers.”
The main element of the plan will involve referring every person in the city with a new cancer diagnosis to an assessment service that will consider all aspects of the individual, their family and carers based on need, risk and choice.
A named officer will develop a tailored care plan and will be available to provide support, advice and links to partner organisations.
Mr Rooney said: “The project will use local libraries to host the assessment centres, which will provide a welcoming and non-threatening environment for everyone.”
Source Eveningtimes.co.uk