The progress made so far in helping people with health regain their independence and the range of support available to people who have undergone treatment for cancer will be outlined at a community event in Falkirk at 7.00pm on Tuesday 19^th September 2017.

Members of the Falkirk Health and Social Care Partnership (HSCP) will highlight the work underway to help local people regain their independence following a stay in hospital or a deterioration in their health. They will also give an update on the work of the Partnership, which has been up and running for a year, and outline their future plans for the Falkirk area.

Falkirk faces a number of key issues including an ageing population and a growing increase in the amount of people with long term and multiple conditions and complex needs. It also has areas where people are poorer and have employment difficulties.

The reablement programme aims to ensure that the right support is in place to allow people to live at home or in a homely setting for as long as possible  and the HSCP is keen to gather feedback from service users, carers, families and local communities on how local services should be developed and delivered in the future.

A number of services already contribute to reablement, including community care teams, falls prevention services such as OTAGO, crisis care and the MECS alarm service.

Those attending the event will also hear about the one-to-one service which Macmillan provide to cancer patients and their families. The service helps patients following treatment for cancer and NHS Forth Valley was the first NHS Board in Scotland to trial the initiative.

Dr Susie Porteous, Macmillan Consultant Clinical Psychologist for NHS Forth Valley, said: “We know from patients that cancer poses many challenges. When someone has been diagnosed with cancer they have to adjust to many changes and this means that patients and those close to them often experience strong emotions and worries. When treatment finishes and the practicalities of treatment are over, people can be surprised if they don’t feel ‘back to normal.

“Similarly, people who are living with active cancer may be coping with physical problems and overwhelming emotions. The aim of the project is to help people living with and beyond cancer to make sense of their experience and to let them know about resources which are available to help them to manage any ongoing concerns.”

The pilot in Forth Valley has meant  cancer patients not only have access to a team of cancer specialists, but also a dedicated follow up team who can answer questions and provide information, advice and support on topics such as psychological wellbeing, managing tiredness, healthy lifestyle and getting the most out of their appointments.

The event, which is organised by NHS Forth Valley’s Public Partnership Forum, will take place in Falkirk Council Chambers, Municipal Buildings on Tuesday 19 September at 7.00pm.

Anyone who wishes to attend or requires crèche facilities or an interpreter should contact Jessie-Anne Malcolm, NHS Forth Valley’s Public Partnership Forum Co-ordinator, on 01324 614660 or email Jessie.malcolm@nhs.net