Rhondda Breast Friends - RCT Cancer Focus Group, 13th October

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Rhondda Breast Friends > Get Involved > Cancer Focus Groups > RCT Cancer Focus Group, 13th October

RCT Cancer Focus Group, 13th October

RCT’s Cancer Focus Group re-started after the summer break on Tuesday, October 13. It consisted of representatives from local cancer and carer groups, national charities and healthcare representatives. Gemma Elsworth, who is launching a new support group called “Lets’ Face it” for people with facial disfigurement, has joined and we also welcomed prostate cancer campaigner Keith Cass who has called his group, "The Red Sock".

Chairman Diane Raybould presented her report as follows,
" The Focus Group met on 13^th October after the summer break. What an inspiring meeting! When it launched in April 2008 only three cancer organisations attended: Rhondda Breast Friends, Cancer Support Cynon Valley and Interlink facilitated the meeting. 18 months later, 20 organisations gathered together to celebrate our progress and look to the future with many more on the circulation list.

In December 2007, I stood up in the Health, Social Care & Wellbeing Forum and commented on the new 2008 -2011 Strategy by saying, “There’s nothing in there for people affected by cancer!” Focus groups followed to better meet the needs of the people of RCT and the Cancer Focus group’s first meeting was on April 28, 2008.

The first point in the agreed Terms of Reference was, “To promote the (RBF) Charter of Rights and its aims”:

· To fully involve people affected by cancer in developing cancer services.

· To set up a partnership between statutory bodies, cancer charities and local cancer groups who will work together to improve services.

· To gain public support that will ensure these aims become reality. 18 months later, by the end of September, we had achieved our aims and many of our schemes had actually been launched! It was all ground breaking stuff! Calendar of Achievements April 2008 - July, 20092008

April : The Cancer Focus Group launched, it was the 1st of its kind in Wales.

NNovember:   The Carers’ subgroup held Carers workshops in December, with feedback
                      and follow up 20^th Jan 09. RCT’s Carers’ Strategy launched 21^st Jan 2009.

DDecember:   1st Representation at Cwm Taff’s Cancer Services Strategy Group
    2009

2^nd July, Launch of Breast Cancer Care Information Stands in Royal Glamorgan
Hospital, the first not just in Wales but in the UK.

9^th July, Visit of Edwina Hart, Minister for Health and Social Services
& Leighton Andrews A.M. for Rhondda.

14^th July, Carer’s Champions launched in GP surgeries.

25^th July, Cancer Information in Libraries Scheme, first in Wales.

Challenges
Our main challenge lies with medical staff and colleagues from Social Services. For our library scheme to fulfill its potential we need our healthcare providers to refer patients, carers and family members to the scheme for valuable information and support.

Likewise GPs in primary care need to support our Carers Champions initiative.

The future

My proposal is for a common goal to run through all our partner organisations next year, ie "Cancer Awareness." Saving lives through prevention and early detection means raisng public awareness but also training of GPs in identifying symptoms and prompt referral for investigation, again a challenge for the LHB and Primary Care.

Concluding my report, I thank everyone for their continued support of the Cancer Focus Group and look forward to the future with renewed faith in statutory organisations and partnership working, because we can and are….making a difference!"

Sally as Vice chair thanked Diane for her hard work in making the projects happen.

Matters of concern for the group included the closure of Cancer Care Cymru and the funding for Macmillan Benefits advisers which the group will be persuing further.