Improving the Cancer Journey (ICJ)
The Improving the Cancer Journey (ICJ) service is here to support anyone living in Orkney that has been affected by cancer.
Cancer doesn’t just affect your physical wellbeing, it can affect many different aspects of your life and the lives of those around you. It can be difficult to know what support is out there and where you can access it. The Improving the Cancer Journey service, in partnership with Macmillan Cancer Support, can support you to access non-clinical services within Orkney.
How does it work?
You may already be accessing clinical support from cancer specialists and nurses, in addition to this, the ICJ service can support you to access non-clinical supportive services. This may include support with:
- Accessing information to answer questions or concerns about your cancer and treatment
- Putting you in touch with local teams that can help you with money or housing worries and benefits
- Caring or work responsibilities
- Connecting with those that can support with addressing physical concerns
- Accessing complimentary therapies
- Helping with emotional concerns, connecting you with wellbeing support and services
When people affected by cancer access the ICJ service, an ICJ Link Worker will have a meaningful conversation with them to discuss their needs and concerns. They will be offered a Holistic Needs Assessment, which helps to determine what matters most to that person.
A Holistic Needs Assessment looks at needs or concerns a person might have about any area of their life, not just about their cancer. These concerns can be:
- Financial – e.g., how will I pay for my bills and food shop when I’m not working?
- Practical - e.g., who will look after my pets / animals / house when I’m accessing treatment?
- Physical – e.g., how will my treatment affect my appearance and energy levels?
- Emotional - e.g., I’m worried about my family and friends, and feel anxious and lonely
- Spiritual – e.g., how do I deal with past regrets or worries about the future?
Based on this assessment and conversation with the Link Worker, a support plan will be created to make sure the person affected by cancer is offered all the support they need.
A Holistic Needs Assessment recognises that any area of your life that is affected by cancer is important. It gives you the time to explore what resources, help and support is available locally for you.
The person affected by cancer typically completes the Holistic Needs Assessment by themselves to ensure that the information gathered is what means most to them. Support with this can be arranged as required. The Link Worker will then arrange an appointment with the person via telephone or video call (Near Me) to discuss and formulate the care plan. Face-to-face appointments can be arranged as required and are based on the Link Workers availability.
Where can I access the ICJ service?
The ICJ Service can provide support through the following options:
- Over the telephone
- Online via video call (Near Me)
- Face-to-face – this is dependent on Link Worker availability
How can I access the ICJ service?
Opening times:
Monday to Friday 09:00 – 17:00 (Closed on weekends or Public Holidays).
Contact Details:
Email: ork.icj@nhs.scot
Phone: 01856 888084 (Public Health Department)
Referral forms: