Welcome to the Macmillan Information and Support Service.  We are based in the Macmillan Cancer Unit at Leighton Hospital, Crewe.  

Due to COVID-19 the Macmillan Information and Support Service is currently only accessible by telephone (01270 273603/278343), email (Macmillan.Info-Support@mcht.nhs.uk) or via video conference (by appointment).  

Please do not come to the Macmillan Cancer Unit unless you have a clinical appointment.  As we are currently closed to visitors please watch the following videos for further information:

COVID-19 - Guidance for Cancer Patients

Latest guidance for people living with cancer and concerns about coronavirus can be found here

For other queries we have the following support available:

 Macmillan information resources – Macmillan website www.macmillan.org.uk

  • Macmillan financial support services www.macmillan.org.uk/financialsupport
  • Macmillan Support Line for practical, emotional, clinical and financial help 8am – 8pm – 0808 808 0000
  • Macmillan Web Chat online 8am – 8pm link is here   
  • Macmillan online community through Macmillan website 24 hours a day 7 days a week www.macmillan.org.uk
  • Macmillan Diagnosis Campaign - via the Macmillan Cancer Support Website

Who we are

When you're affected by cancer, having the right kind of information and support at the right time is essential. The Macmillan Cancer Information and Support Service at Leighton Hospital provides a confidential service for anyone affected by cancer.  This includes people who:

  • Require information about cancer

  • Have a cancer diagnosis

  • Have survived cancer

  • Are living with the consequences of a cancer diagnosis

  • Are a carer, relative, or friend with someone with cancer

  • Are healthcare professionals

How we can help

Staffed by the Macmillan Cancer Information and Support Manager, Macmillan Cancer Information and Support Co-ordinator and trained volunteers, we can provide:

  • Information about all aspects of living with cancer

  • Travel insurance information

  • Information and support over the phone, email or via video conference

We can provide support by offering

  • Time to talk in a confidential and relaxing environment on a one-to-one basis

  • Access to psychological support

  • Access to benefits advice

  • Links to local support services

All information booklets and other media sources are available free of charge, as are psychological supports, Look Good Feel Better Workshops and the HOPE Course.

Information Requests

Do you need information on Travel Insurance, Benefits, talking to friends and family?  As you cannot visit the Macmillan Information and Support Service and browse our information booklets, email us with your information requests at Macmillan.Info-Support@mcht.nhs.uk or call us on 01270 273603 and we will send the information to your home.

Psychological Support

Psychological support is available by referral.  We have a dedicated team of "person-centred" counsellors, who offer a safe, confidential space for patients and their families who are struggling with the emotional impacts of cancer.  Please note that this service is only available for persons over the age of 18.  Please discuss this further with your clinical specialist nurse or the Macmillan Information and Support Service to self-refer to the counselling service.

Support Plus+

Support Plus+ is a new service run by the Macmillan Information and Support Service. 

  • Have you recently completed treatment? 
  • Do you need to move forward with your plans for the future?
  • Would you like the help and motivation to put your plans into action? 

With Support Plus+ we can help you to problem-solve and plan for life after cancer treatment. Our Support Plus+ poster contains further information.

For more information about Support Plus+, contact the Macmillan Information and Support Service on 01270 273603 or email Macmillan.Info-Support@mcht.nhs.uk 

Leighton Listeners - Local Macmillan Support

Leighton Listeners is a new service run by the Macmillan Information and Support Service. Our established team of welcome volunteers are available to provide a listening ear and gentle support to patients and carers. 

  • Have you recently completed treatment?
  • Would you like someone to talk to without judgement? 
  • Be offered support and not advice? 

Our Leighton Listeners are on hand to offer a friendly ear and talk about the things in life that bring you joy. Our Leighton Listener poster contains further information.

For more information on Leighton Listeners contact the Macmillan Information and Support Service on 01270 273603 or email Macmillan.Info-Support@mcht.nhs.uk 

Macmillan Benefits Advice Service

The Macmillan Benefits Advice Service is able to support you with:

  • Checking which Benefits you're entitled to
  • Helping you apply for Benefits and grants
  • Supporting you with Benefits problems
  • Helping you apply for a Blue Badge
  • Supporting you to get help with debt and housing issues

The Macmillan Benefits Advice Service is currently only running a telephone service - please call 01270 303006 to access Benefits support.

Support Groups

Due to COVID-19 all our usual face-to-face support groups have been cancelled.  However, many groups are running virtual or telephone supports during this time.  Please see our list of "Local Support Groups" and "Online Cancer Supports for Patients" for further information.

HOPE Course - Finding it difficult to return to normal live after cancer?  

Successfully run for the last 5 years by the Macmillan Information and Support Service from Mid Cheshire Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, the HOPE Course is Macmillan's free 21/hour a week self-management course.  The course concentrates on focusing and rediscovering your inner strengths and resilience to help you cope emotionally, psychologically and practically.  Time is spent in facilitated discussions, group activities and information sharing.  The course deals with:

  • Goal setting and action planning
  • Looking for solutions to problems
  • Stress management (e.g. mindfulness and relaxation)
  • Fatigue management
  • Identifying your strengths
  • Becoming more positive, grateful and appreciating life more
  • Healthy lifestyles (e.g. eating more healthily and physical activity)
  • Prioritising the important things in life
  • Fear of cancer recurrence
  • Body image and sexuality and intimacy
  • Communication skills

Due to COVID-19 this course is currently being offered online by Macmillan Cancer Support and Hope for the Community CIC.  The course lasts for 6 weeks.  You will be required to commit 2 hours per week, at a time that suits you and have access to the Internet via a smartphone, tablet or PC.  For more information and how to register visit: https://www.h4c.org.uk/courses

Look Good Feel Better Virtual Workshops

Due to COVID-19 our Look Good Feel Better Workshops have been cancelled.  However, Look Good Feel Better are running virtual workshops for men and women. They also have lots of useful tutorial on their website.  

To find out more and dates/time of the workshops, please contact the charity directly:

Tel:  07545 551531

Email:  info@lgfb.co.uk

Website:  https://lookgoodfeelbetter.co.uk/

Look Good Feel Better have produced tutorials, which are available to watch on YouTube.  Please find below a selection of tutorials:

Eyebrows for Women  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KYo1d6-a3K4 

Eyelashes for Women https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fbbTGMGTjWs&t=271s 

Wig selection and styling  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Bn-en8aCaT8 

Headscarves https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VRMEXbn4ffo 

Headwear https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HUGfcpnplAM&t=3s 

Nail Care https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1myljzGVGeI   

Eyebrows for Men  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IcrzVDDjjX8&t=48s

Skin Care for Men  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=piYgQcCXKQI

Wet Shaving Advice for Men https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CV5ZHI900cM

Dry Shaving Advice for Men https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SxIDFcsKdC8

The full range of Tutorials can be found on the Look Good Feel Better Website - https://lookgoodfeelbetter.co.uk/tutorials/ 

Wig Suppliers

Some cancer treatment can cause hair loss.  If you decide you would like to wear a wig, it is a good idea to get one before you start treatment.  It will be easier to match the wig to your own hair colour and style.  You can also get used to wearing the wig before your hair starts to fall out.  You will be given a surgical appliance "prescription" which allows £95 towards the purchase of a wig.  Please see the list of our wig suppliers for further information. 

You will see from this document that many of our wig suppliers are providing services during lockdown. 

Fundraising Donations

Mid Cheshire Hospitals Charity and Macmillan Cancer Support are always grateful to receive any donations, no matter how big or small.  If you would like to make a donation to either charity information on you can make a donation is detailed below:

Donations to MCH Charity pay for state-of-the-art equipment, improved facilities and additional services which improve the care and experience of people who use cancer services at Leighton Hospital.  Your donations make a real difference to the care and experience of local people who use our services and enable us to fund items and service like these:

  • Hypnotherapy Service - supports people with phobias and anxiety to help them through treatment
  • High tech infusion pumps - improves comfort and reduces pain for patients receiving chemotherapy
  • Funding to support counselling services - to help reduce anxiety, provide relaxation and improve well-being
  • Scalp cooling caps - to help prevent hair loss in people receiving chemotherapy

Charity thumbnail.pngPlease contact the MCH Charity team (based at Leighton Hospital) who can help you to make a donation and can offer advice and resources to support your fundraising.

Email:  charity@mcht.nhs.uk     Telephone: 01270 273248    Website:  https://www.mchcharity.org

Registered Charity No: 1049008

Macmillan Cancer Support provides practical, medical, emotional and financial support and pushes for better cancer care both locally and nationally. Macmillan relies on supporters for 96% of its income.  By making a donation:

  • You’ll help support the charity’s 4,000 UK-wide health care professionals – some of whom work in the Unit at Leighton Hospital
  • You’ll help provide vital grants to people in your area who are struggling to cope with the extra costs that cancer can bring
  • You’ll help pay for the Macmillan Support Line – 0800 808 0000 – an essential FREE service to anyone, anywhere, offering cancer support over the phone
  • And you’ll help people living with cancer to have more good days

Please contact the Macmillan Support Care Hub, who can help you to make a donation and also help support fundraising events:

Email: fundraising@macmillan.org.uk    

Telephone: 0300 1000 200 

Website: www.macmillan.org.uk/donate

Registered Charity No:  261017

How to find us

The Service is based in the Macmillan Cancer Unit, Leighton Hospital, Middlewich Road, Crewe CW1 4QJ. The Macmillan Unit is to the left of the main hospital entrance.  If entering via the main outpatients, we are along the corridor to the right.  Please do not come to the Macmillan Unit unless you have a clinical appointment.

 

Opening Times

Monday to Friday, 9.00 am - 3.00 pm (excluding Bank Holidays)

Travel

By Rail:  Crewe Station is a short taxi drive or by the number 6 and 12 buses from Rail House

Buses:  6, 12, 31, 42, 78 and 317

Hospital car parking:  All car parks are 'pay on foot'

Within the Macmillan Unit there is a combination of outpatient facilities including consulting suites, treatment rooms and dedicated therapy and quiet rooms.

Situated upstairs within the Macmillan Cancer Unit is the Cancer Services Team. This team is responsible for the tracking and co-ordination of all patients referred into the hospital with a suspected diagnosis of cancer. The team aims to ensure that patients receive appropriate treatment within the national cancer targets set by the Department of Health. The team consists of a Cancer Manager, Cancer Data Manager and a team of Pathway Co-ordinators.

We also access services at local Trusts for radiotherapy and chemotherapy services for tumour specific requirements.