{"id":4040,"date":"2022-05-03T11:47:20","date_gmt":"2022-05-03T10:47:20","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/apps.nhslothian.scot\/refhelp\/guidelines\/improvingthecancerjourney\/"},"modified":"2026-02-12T13:24:44","modified_gmt":"2026-02-12T13:24:44","slug":"improvingthecancerjourney","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/apps.nhslothian.scot\/refhelp\/guidelines\/oncology\/improvingthecancerjourney\/","title":{"rendered":"Improving the Cancer Journey"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<p><strong>Information <\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>The Lothian Improving the Cancer Journey (ICJ) Service is a Macmillan-funded, Link Worker service.&nbsp; ICJ aims to support people with a cancer diagnosis and their family or carers, focusing on non-clinical issues.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>&nbsp;Here are some of the things we can offer support with;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Money or housing issues<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Work<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Caring responsibilities<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Physical concerns<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Emotional concerns<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p>Before meeting with a link worker, the person will be asked to complete a Holistic Needs Assessment (HNA) to identify their main concerns.&nbsp; This can also be done with a Link Worker&#8217;s help.&nbsp; Link workers will then have a supportive conversation with the person about &#8216;what matters most to them&#8217; and areas where they would like extra support or advice. Link workers will be able to sign-post or refer to appropriate local services and supports. The Link Worker and the person will co-create a care plan based on their conversation. This will be owned by the person and can be shared with GPs and other health professionals with consent.&nbsp; <\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>M.A. &amp; S.B. 12-2-26<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-getwid-tabs\" data-active-tab=\"0\"><ul class=\"wp-block-getwid-tabs__nav-links\"><\/ul>\n<div class=\"wp-block-getwid-tabs__nav-link\"><span class=\"wp-block-getwid-tabs__title-wrapper\"><a href=\"#\"><span class=\"wp-block-getwid-tabs__title\">Referral Guidelines<\/span><\/a><\/span><\/div><div class=\"wp-block-getwid-tabs__tab-content-wrapper\"><div class=\"wp-block-getwid-tabs__tab-content\">\n<h4 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Who can refer:<\/h4>\n\n\n\n<p>ICJ accept referrals from healthcare professionals and self-referrals directly from patients and carers.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h4 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Who to refer:<\/h4>\n\n\n\n<p>The service is available to anyone 16 years of age and over affected by cancer.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h4 class=\"wp-block-heading\">What Happens Next?<\/h4>\n\n\n\n<p>Our team will offer you an appointment within 5-10 days. Our appointments can be over the telephone, videocalls, or face-to-face at community settings.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Get in touch:<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Tel no: 0131 537 1500<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Email: <a href=\"mailto:loth.icj@nhs.scot\">loth.icj@nhs.scot<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Opening time: Monday \u2013 Friday 09:00-17:00<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h4 class=\"wp-block-heading\">How to refer:<\/h4>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>For Health Care Professionals: <\/strong>Please make a referral by completing the <a href=\"https:\/\/apps.nhslothian.scot\/files\/sites\/2\/ICJ-Referral-Form-NEW-VERSION-September-2023-1.docx\" data-type=\"link\" data-id=\"https:\/\/apps.nhslothian.scot\/files\/sites\/2\/ICJ-Referral-Form-NEW-VERSION-September-2023-1.docx\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">referral form<\/a> provided to include: Name, CHI and contact telephone number\/email for the person. Our team will be in touch with the person within 3 days and an appointment will be offered within 5-10 days.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>For somebody affected by cancer (Self Referrals)<\/strong> &#8211; including family members and carers. Can contact us directly: <\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Tel no: 0131 537 1500<br>Email: <a href=\"mailto:loth.icj@nhs.scot\">loth.icj@nhs.scot<\/a><\/p>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-getwid-tabs__nav-link\"><span class=\"wp-block-getwid-tabs__title-wrapper\"><a href=\"#\"><span class=\"wp-block-getwid-tabs__title\">Primary Care Management<\/span><\/a><\/span><\/div><div class=\"wp-block-getwid-tabs__tab-content-wrapper\"><div class=\"wp-block-getwid-tabs__tab-content\">\n<p>ICJ is available for anyone with a cancer diagnosis as well as family\/carers and it supports people with any non-clinical issues or concerns that affect their lives. The service aims to provide early intervention to maintain wellbeing, encourage self-management and prevent more serious situations arising.&nbsp;<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-getwid-tabs__nav-link\"><span class=\"wp-block-getwid-tabs__title-wrapper\"><a href=\"#\"><span class=\"wp-block-getwid-tabs__title\">Resources and Links<\/span><\/a><\/span><\/div><div class=\"wp-block-getwid-tabs__tab-content-wrapper\"><div class=\"wp-block-getwid-tabs__tab-content\">\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><strong>Macmillan Helpline&nbsp;<\/strong>Our cancer information advisors offer a listening ear and are ready to talk about whatever matters to you. They can also provide expert cancer information to help you find your best way through. (7 days a week, 8am &#8211; 8pm)<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Macmillan Online Community<\/strong>&nbsp;&#8211; The Online Community understands what it&#8217;s like to have cancer. We are an<strong>&nbsp;<\/strong>online cancer forum with 90,000 members: and they have all been there. Support is available 24 hours a day, in a safe environment.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>National Cancer Treatment Helpline&nbsp;<\/strong><strong>0800 917 7711<\/strong><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Resource for people under 16<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/eur01.safelinks.protection.outlook.com\/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fechcharity.org%2F&amp;data=05%7C02%7CMaria.D%27Aria%40nhs.scot%7C9a08dc3b63fd4684018b08dd088139f0%7C10efe0bda0304bca809cb5e6745e499a%7C0%7C0%7C638676073288895526%7CUnknown%7CTWFpbGZsb3d8eyJFbXB0eU1hcGkiOnRydWUsIlYiOiIwLjAuMDAwMCIsIlAiOiJXaW4zMiIsIkFOIjoiTWFpbCIsIldUIjoyfQ%3D%3D%7C0%7C%7C%7C&amp;sdata=FZEXMlvtw54hO9gFD2Tu%2FWlHcP3gbjBa51jaJBjBLlU%3D&amp;reserved=0\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Edinburgh Children&#8217;s Hospital Charity | Scottish Children&#8217;s Charity<\/a><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/hopesupport.org.uk\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Hope Support Services \u2013 Helping young people when someone gets sick<\/a> <a href=\"https:\/\/eur01.safelinks.protection.outlook.com\/?url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.riprap.org.uk%2F&amp;data=05%7C02%7CMaria.D%27Aria%40nhs.scot%7C3b0ab4ce679547592f8408dd09684d10%7C10efe0bda0304bca809cb5e6745e499a%7C0%7C0%7C638677065747964483%7CUnknown%7CTWFpbGZsb3d8eyJFbXB0eU1hcGkiOnRydWUsIlYiOiIwLjAuMDAwMCIsIlAiOiJXaW4zMiIsIkFOIjoiTWFpbCIsIldUIjoyfQ%3D%3D%7C0%7C%7C%7C&amp;sdata=xOnIPSJIlpA2kaQxeXiqY0KUHAB%2B1koiJh90a41jVAc%3D&amp;reserved=0\"><\/a><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/eur01.safelinks.protection.outlook.com\/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.childrenwithcancer.org.uk%2Fchildhood-cancer-info%2Fcoping-with-cancer%2Fhelp-and-support%2F&amp;data=05%7C02%7CMaria.D%27Aria%40nhs.scot%7C50b3eded0a7b4dcfa81808dd0941b07e%7C10efe0bda0304bca809cb5e6745e499a%7C0%7C0%7C638676899996763024%7CUnknown%7CTWFpbGZsb3d8eyJFbXB0eU1hcGkiOnRydWUsIlYiOiIwLjAuMDAwMCIsIlAiOiJXaW4zMiIsIkFOIjoiTWFpbCIsIldUIjoyfQ%3D%3D%7C0%7C%7C%7C&amp;sdata=lFXvI%2BqOKn4CWjqo58%2BUu7jp27k6Cvsp4mfUNC538gQ%3D&amp;reserved=0\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Cancer Support and Help for Families | Children with Cancer UK<\/a><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.younglivesvscancer.org.uk\/what-we-do\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">What we do &#8211; Young Lives vs Cancer<\/a><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/services.nhslothian.scot\/supportingcarers\/young-carers\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Young Carers \u2013 Supporting Carers<\/a><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n<\/div><\/div>\n<\/div>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Information The Lothian Improving the Cancer Journey (ICJ) Service is a Macmillan-funded, Link Worker service.&nbsp; ICJ aims to support people with a cancer diagnosis and their family or carers, focusing on non-clinical issues. &nbsp;Here are some of the things we can offer support with; Before meeting with a link worker, the person will be asked<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":0,"parent":4198,"menu_order":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","template":"","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[454],"class_list":["post-4040","page","type-page","status-publish","hentry","category-improving-the-cancer-journey"],"publishpress_future_workflow_manual_trigger":{"enabledWorkflows":[]},"rttpg_featured_image_url":null,"rttpg_author":{"display_name":"NHS Lothian","author_link":"https:\/\/apps.nhslothian.scot\/refhelp\/author\/nhs-lothian\/"},"rttpg_comment":0,"rttpg_category":" <a href=\"https:\/\/apps.nhslothian.scot\/refhelp\/category\/oncology\/improving-the-cancer-journey\/\" rel=\"tag\">Improving the Cancer Journey<\/a>","rttpg_excerpt":"Information The Lothian Improving the Cancer Journey (ICJ) Service is a Macmillan-funded, Link Worker service.&nbsp; ICJ aims to support people with a cancer diagnosis and their family or carers, focusing on non-clinical issues. &nbsp;Here are some of the things we can offer support with; Before meeting with a link worker, the person will be asked","_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/apps.nhslothian.scot\/refhelp\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/4040","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/apps.nhslothian.scot\/refhelp\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/apps.nhslothian.scot\/refhelp\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/page"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/apps.nhslothian.scot\/refhelp\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/2"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/apps.nhslothian.scot\/refhelp\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=4040"}],"version-history":[{"count":18,"href":"https:\/\/apps.nhslothian.scot\/refhelp\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/4040\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":26870,"href":"https:\/\/apps.nhslothian.scot\/refhelp\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/4040\/revisions\/26870"}],"up":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/apps.nhslothian.scot\/refhelp\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/4198"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/apps.nhslothian.scot\/refhelp\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=4040"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/apps.nhslothian.scot\/refhelp\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=4040"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}