As part of the ongoing Improving the Cancer Journey (ICJ) work in Forth Valley, Lisa Dods, Macmillan Health Improvement Practitioner Specialist for Prehabilitation, has been leading a scoping exercise of prehabilitation services across the region. She has been working closely with Claire Alexander (ICJ Programme Manager) and Dr Ashleigh Ward (Consultant Nurse for Cancer and Palliative Care).
Prehabilitation is focuses on improving nutrition, physical activity and mental wellbeing before and during cancer treatment. Its aim is to improve the health of people ahead of treatment, reduce the risk of complications after surgery, improve long-term outcomes and strengthen people’s ability to look after themselves during critical stages of their cancer journey.
The findings of the scoping exercise were shared at a joint NHS Forth Valley and Macmillan Cancer Support Learning and Engagement Event which was attended by over 80 members of staff, local service providers and patients involved in the project.
The event featured a range of local and national speakers and workshops and also helped to showcase local services. A highlight of the day was a powerful account from a patient who had undergone treatment for prostate cancer, who spoke movingly about how support from services such as Macmillan Money Matters, Maggie’s and Prostate Scotland had transformed his life.
The event was extremely well received and forms part of wider work to enhance access to prehabilitation services across Forth Valley.
A new dedicated section on prehabilitation has been created on the cancer services section of the NHS Forth Valley website to provide a wide range of information, advice and resources.
