A mobile support service, which tours Cheshire and Merseyside offering help and advice on cancer and other major illnesses, will continue its mission from May 2015.The 27 foot long bright yellow iVan with its dedicated team of advisors has found a new home with Bridgewater Community Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust who have exciting plans to extend its range of services.
The team on the iVan has been advising people for over six years on how to recognise the signs and symptoms of cancer and arranging screening to help with earlier diagnosis and preventative treatment. The iVan has also been used to provide support and guidance around dementia, stroke, diabetes, heart disease and stop smoking services, and for blood pressure and health checks.
Debbie Doherty, the cancer clinical nurse specialist, and a former Macmillan nurse, who manages the service is thrilled that the service will continue. She said: “The iVan has helped so many people over the years, who have told us they have been very grateful of the service, how accessible it is and that you can just hop on. “Many people are frightened about cancer and can find it difficult to get to the doctors for many reasons. We address this by taking the iVan into the heart of communities including shopping centres, supermarket car parks and work places. It’s a walk-on service, no appointment is necessary and we’re even wheelchair and pushchair friendly. “There’s a private consultation area so people can speak to me in confidence about any concerns, or they can browse our information and seek advice from the other professional staff on the van.”
Cheshire and Merseyside Strategic Clinical Networks (CMSCN) who have hosted the service on behalf of the commissioners was instrumental in securing its new home with Bridgewater. Jan Vaughan, associate director at CMSCN said: “I am delighted that the iVan has found a new home and this important service can continue. Last year alone over 36,000 people visited the iVan and Debbie and the team referred more than 1,000 on to their GP for further advice. “By detecting cancer and other major illnesses earlier, the iVan team can help save lives and ensure people get the support and treatment they need as soon as possible.”