Many different healthcare professionals are involved in looking after patients with cancer. Information about many of these people and services that they offer are detailed below.
Detect Cancer Early
Referrals for Suspected Cancer
Patients who are concerned about symptoms which could indicate cancer should initially present to their own GP. A number of investigations can be carried out within Primary/Community Care service. Some patients may need to be referred to hospital for further investigation, and this should be co-ordinated by the GP. There are agreed referral guidelines between primary and secondary care which indicate which patients should be referred urgently.
Oncology (Cancer) Department
Oncology
Forth Valley Royal Hospital Stirling Road
Larbert
FK5 4WR
Phone: 01324 566300
The oncology department are based in the Oncology Unit Forth Valley Royal Hospital in Larbert. The oncology team work closely with hospital consultants, and primary care. The oncology team are available Monday to Friday, 8-5pm for all enquires.
Post chemotherapy contact your own GP if you cannot wait until the following day.
Planning for The Future
Demand for radiotherapy treatment is set to increase significantly over the next ten years as more of us live longer and more cases of cancer are detected at an earlier stage.
To help meet this future demand work is underway to develop plans for a West of Scotland Satellite Radiotherapy Facility.
- Find out more at Planning for the Future
Maggie’s Centre
Maggie’s Forth Valley, in the grounds of Forth Valley Royal Hospital, provides free practical, emotional and social support to people with cancer and their family and friends. Maggie’s Centres, run by an independent charity, complement the work of the NHS. Our specialist staff offer one-to-one advice as well as group sessions, workshops and courses aimed at helping to address the physical and psychological impact of living with cancer. No appointment is necessary.
The Centre is open Monday – Friday, 9am – 5pm.
Tel: 01324 868069
Email: forthvalley@maggiescentres.org
Website: https://www.maggiescentres.org/our-centres/maggies-forth-valley
Support After Cancer – Macmillan One to One Project
Patients across Forth Valley who have recently undergone treatment for cancer now have access to a new service which offers follow up support and advice.
NHS Forth Valley is the first NHS Board in Scotland to pilot this new service which is funded by Macmillan Cancer Support and delivered by a team of community care nurses and healthcare support workers.
Working with patients on an individual basis means the team are able to help deal with any financial, physical or emotional issues that arise following treatment and can also signpost people to other services such as local money advice organisations, cancer charities and carers support services.
To find out more about the Macmillan One to One Project phone 01324 832921 or 07884112979 (Tuesdays and Fridays), email fv.maconesupport@nhs.scot or speak to your GP, district nurse or consultant.
Breast Cancer Care Scotland
Leading support charity Breast Cancer Care Scotland, in partnership with NHS Forth Valley, are now offering two new face-to-face support services, Moving Forward and Living with Secondary Breast Cancer and a telephone support service Someone Like Me.
These services complement existing support services and provide additional access to practical, emotional and social support to women diagnosed with breast cancer throughout Forth Valley.
You can find out more, including dates and times of local sessions in Forth Valley, on the www.breastcancercare.org.uk/services website.
Patient Information
Waiting Times
Patients with symptoms that are highly suggestive of cancer will be seen more urgently. This will be in accordance with local referral guidelines.
Useful Links
- CancerBACUP – Useful information for people with cancer
- Get Checked Early
- Macmillan Cancer Support
- NHS Inform – Cancer Zone
- Maggie’s