Dorset Cancer Patient Group

Posted by Tricia on Monday 6th October

Last week I went to a Steering Group meeting of the new Dorset Cancer Patient Group which is in the process of being established with the support of Macmillan and local hospital trusts and oncologists.

Before the dissolution of the Dorset Cancer Network (DCN) there was an active and successful Patient Partnership Panel whose aim was to improve cancer services locally. They were trained and supported by the DCN and attended meetings as cancer patent representatives, were involved in a wide variety of projects including improving chemotherapy and radiotherapy services and being involved in Peer Review.

A few of these panel members kept meeting without any support as they did not want to lose the expertise that had been earned. Recently with the establishment of the new Dorset Cancer Alliance and its support, the new Dorset Cancer Patient Group is going to be launched soon.

At the moment we are working hard on designing leaflets and posters to publicise the group and recruit new members and let health care workers know that wanting to continue with our work to improve cancer services in Dorset. Watch this space for more information.