Delamere Centre Independent Review

This is a report by Healthwatch Warrington. The project is a review of the Delamere Centre (a cancer support service).

We conducted several outreach sessions at Warrington and Halton Hospital, speaking with cancer patients in the outpatient wards who were attending follow-up appointments or receiving chemotherapy about their understanding of the Delamere Centre and the services it provides.

We also attended the CANtreat clinic, which is run by a team of specialist chemotherapy nurses from The Clatterbridge Cancer Centre, providing treatments for patients with lung, breast, lymphoma, bowel, urological, and prostate cancers. This service is held in the Nightingale Building at Halton Hospital.

We heard to voices of 109 patients about their understanding of the Delamere Centre.

Key findings included:

• Awareness and Accessibility: A significant number of patients were unaware of the Delamere Centre or its services, suggesting a need for better promotion and outreach, especially to male patients and those outside Halton.
• Financial Support: While many received adequate financial guidance, others reported gaps in information or support, particularly regarding benefits such as PIP.
• Environment and Logistics: Parking difficulties at Warrington Hospital were a recurring concern, affecting patient experience and access.
• Information Delivery: Some respondents found the volume of information overwhelming or delayed, indicating a need for more tailored, phased communication strategies.

There are recommendations in this report:

• Improve Awareness and Promotion of Services.
• Expand Access to Support Services in Warrington.
• Enhance Financial Support Guidance.
• Tailor Information Delivery.
• Increase Male-Focused and Family Support Services.
• Address Environmental and Logistical Barriers.
• Improve Initial Contact Experience.

There are no follow up actions.