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18 October 2006
People diagnosed with cancer will soon be given information prescriptions as part of their cancer care, the Department of Health announced today. Working with information charity, Cancerbackup the initiative will transform the experience of cancer patients, by providing a list of information resources and support services specific to their condition and empowering them to take control of their illness.
Cancerbackup in partnership with the Association of the British Pharmaceutical Industry and Ask About Medicines has been leading the way in the implementation of information prescriptions. Recognising the lack of information given to many cancer patients, (40% of cancer patients do not receive any written information from their health team as revealed by a 2004 NHS survey), Cancerbackup has been instrumental in developing the foundations for information prescriptions to embed them in current practice.
“As a charity specialising in providing information to people affected by cancer, we are very aware of the difference being informed makes to a patient’s life,” says Joanne Rule, Cancerbackup Chief Executive. “Receiving a cancer diagnosis can be extremely frightening. Being offered accurate independent information will help people regain some control about their treatment and cancer journey.
“Considering that patients only remember 10% of what is said to them in their consultations, information prescriptions will transform the experience of cancer patients. We look forward to working with the Department of Health in the areas where the initiative will be piloted and with Macmillan who are running a community pilot too.”
-Ends-
There is more information on our Information prescriptions campaign in the campaigns section.
For more information or copies of reports during office hours please contact Michelle Rowley on 0207 920 7219 or mrowley@cancerbackup.org or John Cox on 0207 920 7218 jcox@cancerbackup.org
For press enquiries outside office hours please call 07973 308 346.
- Cancerbackup is the only national charity that specialises in providing information on all types of cancer.
- All Cancerbackup services are free to cancer patients, their relatives and friends.
- Cancerbackup Freephone Information Service: 0808 800 1234 (Mon-Fri, 9am-8pm). Cancerbackup Centres can be found in St Bartholomew’s Hospital, Charing Cross Hospital, the London Clinic, The Christie Hospital, Ipswich Hospital, Nottingham City Hospital, Walsgrave Hospital and the Torbay Hospital Annexe. The charity’s interactive website can be found at www.cancerbackup.org.uk
- Cancerbackup, as a charity, receives 54% of its funding from individuals, 11% from charitable trusts, 5% from grants, 14% from companies, 2% from investments and 14% from its trading company. Pharmaceutical companies contributed 9% of the total 2005/06 income.
Page last modified: 19 February 2007
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Download Information Prescriptions: 'From Theory to Practice' Workshop Report (534.49 Kb)