Carers, Family and Friends Information Hub
At Calderdale and Huddersfield NHS Foundation Trust (CHFT) we understand the significant impact of a cancer diagnosis not only on the patient, but also on the patient’s family. Our aim is to include and support family members during a person’s cancer journey and this page gives some information and support, that can be accessed for carers and family members.
Information and Support Sessions – CHFT Health and Wellbeing Programme
We welcome and encourage family members and carers to join our information/education sessions as part of our Health and Wellbeing Programme at CHFT.
Our sessions are aimed to inform patients and family members about how best to support themselves as they go through cancer, but also to share information about services which can support you.
First Steps Cancer Programme
This is our information and support programme for patients and family members, following a recent cancer diagnosis.
We are currently running First Steps like a book club, so there are videos and lots of information to read on our website.
We invite you to have a look at the information and then join us face to face for our monthly First Steps discussion group.
This is an opportunity for family members, as well as patients, to ask any questions that are worrying you about treatment etc.
Click here to learn more about the First Steps Programme and book onto a monthly session.
End of Treatment Health and Wellbeing Events
These events are run quarterly and aim to support people who have finished a block of cancer treatment, to move on with living as healthy a lifestyle as possible.
The events include talks on managing emotions, keeping physically active, diet, sleep and managing fatigue. There is also a chance to meet with the clinical team and talk about managing the side effects of treatment and signs to look out for in the future.
These sessions are currently under review please come back for more information.
Thinking Ahead
Thinking Ahead is our information and support programme for patients and family members affected by an incurable cancer diagnosis.
For some, this will mean receiving treatment to control the cancer and side effects, and for other people, treatment may not be offered. We run this course several times a year and welcome family members being involved. Topics include keeping active, managing uncertainty, advance care planning, estates/financial planning, mindfulness and more.
Sessions include a talk by a speaker and a chance to discuss and ask questions.
Clinical Information
Patients will have a named Cancer Nurse Specialist (CNS), whose contact details they should be given at the time of diagnosis. Family members are welcome to contact the CNS for advice and information, though the patient does need to give consent for this to happen.
In some cases this may include setting up a password with the Trust, that the family members know and need to provide, before any conversations with family members take place. The purpose of a password is to ensure that the patient has given consent for their information to be shared with family members.
Emotional Support for Carers and Family Members
Carers and family members are welcome to contact the Macmillan Information and Support Service in our hospital trust.
As well as providing practical help, financial support and onward referrals to other organisations, the Macmillan Information Team also provides a listening ear service for patients and family members by phone or in person, in both HRI and CRH.
There are also various Macmillan support groups, which family members are welcome to access and join, regardless of whether the patient in the family wishes to attend.
Further information and contact details for the team, can be found here
Other Organisations which can support carers
The Macmillan Information Service can refer you to other organisations offering carer support, or you can contact these directly. Most of these organisations are offering telephone or virtual support at the current time.
Some organisations which provide information and support to carers include:
Carers Count – Kirklees
Tel: 0300 012 0231
Email: info@carerscount.org.uk
Website: https://carerscount.org.uk/
Making Space
Carers Wellbeing Service (Calderdale) Making Space Suite 6b, Rimani House 14 - 16 Hall Street Halifax HX1 5BD
Telephone: 01422 369101
Email: carers.wsc@makingspace.co.uk
Website: Making Space | Carer support for adults living in Calderdale
The Carers Trust
Tel: 01484 537036
Email: info@CTMY.org.uk
Website: https://carers.org/ (national) https://www.carerstrustmidyorkshire.org.uk/ (local)
For families of somebody with an incurable diagnosis
Carers Support Groups and telephone support at The Kirkwood and Overgate Hospice
The Kirkwood
Tel: 01484 557900 or the Family Care Team: 01484 557 908
Email – info@thekirkwood.org.uk
Website: https://www.thekirkwood.org.uk/how-we-can-help/caring-for-patients/family-care-team
Overgate Hospice
Tel- 01422 379151
Email - info@overgatehospice.nhs.uk
Website: https://www.overgatehospice.org.uk/our-care/patient-family-support/
Macmillan Support Line
Tel: 0808 808 0000
Open 7 days per week, 8am to 8pm and provides information and emotional support/a listening ear for family members as well as patients.
Macmillan Website – Information and Support for Carers and Family Members
The Macmillan website has a huge amount of information to support carers and family members including information on looking after someone with cancer, practical and emotional support for carers, cancer and young carers – and much more. Click here for more information
You can also download the Macmillan Booklets below
‘Looking after someone with Cancer’ and ‘Be There for Someone Facing Cancer’
Macmillan has an online community for patients and family members to be in touch with other patients/family members around the country to ask advice, share tips and information (e.g. on useful travel insurance policies).
