Welcome to the Macmillan Information and Support Service. We are based in the Macmillan Cancer Unit at Leighton Hospital in Crewe.
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:
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Require information about cancer
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Have a cancer diagnosis
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Have survived cancer
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Are living with the consequences of a cancer diagnosis
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Are a carer, relative, or friend with someone with cancer
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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:
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Information about all aspects of living with cancer
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Travel insurance information
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Information and support over the phone, email or via video conference
We can provide support by offering
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Time to talk in a confidential and relaxing environment on a one-to-one basis
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Access to psychological support
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Access to benefits advice
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Links to local support services
All information booklets and other media sources are available free of charge, as are psychological supports.
Information Requests
Do you need information on Travel Insurance, Benefits, talking to friends and family? If you are unable to visit the Macmillan Information and Support Service and browse our information booklets, please 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. Counselling is available face to face, over the telephone or via a video call.
Macmillan Benefits Advice Service
The Macmillan Benefits Advice Service is run in conjunction with Citizens Advice Cheshire East and is available for all patients who live within the Cheshire footprint. 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 918102 to access Benefits support.
If you live outside of Cheshire, contact the Macmillan Information and Support Service on 01270 273603 and we can signpost you to your local service.
Support Groups
Many people living with cancer say that spending time talking with others who have a shared experience benefits them in many ways. This benefits include: feeling less lonely; isolated or judged; help reduce distress; depression; anxiety or fatigue.
Common group activities can include:
meeting for a tea or coffee and a chat, getting to know each other and learning how best to support one another
Listening to invited guest speakers on a variety of subjects
taking part in crafting, art, creative writing or singing
There are lots of local and national support groups, some face to face and others virtual. Please see our list of "Local Support Groups" for further information.
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://
Wig selection and styling https://
Headscarves https://
Headwear https://
Nail Care https://
Eyebrows for Men https://
Skin Care for Men https://
Wet Shaving Advice for Men https://
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://
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
Please 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
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
Telephone: 0300 1000 200
Website: www.
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.
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, and 317
Hospital car parking: All car parks are 'pay on foot', Please note that if you have a Blue Badge you are exempt from parking charges.
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.
