Bolton Cancer Patients and Carers Consultative Group has opened a Facebook page as a resource which can be used to access some of the locally / regionally and nationally available information that might be of interest or help to local cancer patients, their families and members of the public generally.

From the initial diverse postings visitors to the page can follow links to see how the Royal Bolton Hospital performed in the National Cancer Patient Experience Survey 2010, read about how Cancer Services at the Hospital have been assessed against the national quality assurance programme for NHS Cancer Services; find out about a new Breast Care Support Group being set up, follow links to sources of information and support for carers and learn more about the National Cancer Screening Programmes, plus much more. New articles will be added on a regular basis. Their link is: - http://www.facebook.com/BoltonCancerPatientsCarersConsultativeGroup

Karen Elliott, Chair of Bolton Cancer Patients and Carers Consultative Group said ‘ this is what it is; it’s not intended to be a source of expert advice simply our way of trying to help people to negotiate their way around some of the vast amount of information out there for cancer patients, their families and members of the public.’

The Group, which is currently campaigning for a dedicated Cancer Information and Support Centre providing amongst other things a drop-in service offering cancer information and emotional support; Welfare Rights Advice; Complementary Therapies; education sessions; space to hold cancer related meetings and a less clinical environment in which to deliver the Breast Prosthesis Service, Breast Lymphoedema Service and a Wig Fitting Service, is also seeking to recruit new members. Anyone affected by cancer as a patient or carer currently or in the past is eligible to join. The Group aim to identify issues that impact on the patient / carer experience and encourage Healthcare Services to ensure that the treatment, care and support of cancer patients from Bolton, their families / carers is patient-centred, holistic, of high quality, equable, efficient and effective.

Meetings are held every other month; for an informal discussion contact Karen Elliott on 01204 595562 / 07773 164235 or email boltoncancerpatients.carersgroup@yahoo.co.uk.