Skip to main content

Social prescribing pilot for cancer patients

The Macmillan Cancer Wellbeing Coordinator pilot was set up in participating GP surgeries in Cardiff to offer non-clinical support to anyone affected by cancer -  patients, their families or their carers.

Established in 2019, this is the first cancer specific social prescribing pilot in Wales.

The service can signpost patients towards help with practical needs and personal goals, such as getting back to work, becoming more active or accessing local community groups.

It is available for people and their family members and/or carers living with and beyond cancer, in a number of surgeries in Cardiff West and Cardiff South West Clusters.

Macmillan Wellbeing Co-ordinators can help patients:

  • Find support groups and self-management courses
  • Find advice on finance and benefits
  • Increase self-confidence and learn new skills
  • Find online support
  • Find ways to improve fitness
  • Chase appointments

Two Macmillan Cancer Wellbeing Coordinator roles support this service, which will run until 2022.

These roles are funded by Macmillan Cancer Support in partnership with the Macmillan Primary Care Cancer Framework and Cardiff and Vale University Health Board.

An independent evaluation to highlight the learning from this project will be published in 2022. The learning and sharing from this pilot will guide future development and investment in primary care.

For more information on this project email WCN.WalesCancerNetwork@wales.nhs.uk