Thursday 15th June saw the launch of the Scottish Government’s Scottish Cancer Strategy which sets out their vision for the next ten years to ‘improve cancer survival and provide excellent, equitably accessible care’.
It was developed in collaboration with people with lived experience and wider partners including the Scottish Cancer Coalition, of which Cancer Support Scotland is a member.
Cancer Support Scotland CEO, Michael MacLennan, said:
“We welcome the publication of the Cancer Strategy for Scotland, which we have engaged in as part of the Scottish Cancer Coalition, and that it recognises the need for wellbeing support both before, during, and after treatment. With more people being diagnosed and living with cancer across the country, providing ongoing support for both physical and mental wellbeing is more vital than ever.
“As a charity which provides a range of tailored services across Scotland, we also welcome the stated ambition within the Strategy’s 10-year vision to provide ‘Person-Centred Care For All’. Through doing so we can ensure that people are able to not just receive support at the time when they most need it, but to provide it to others too, building a community and network which will improve the lives for those affected by cancer.
“We look forward to working with the Scottish Government and the NHS to strengthen and expand the amount and array of wellbeing support in order realise the Strategy’s ambitions and vision. As an organisation funded through public donations, we would also emphasise the need for funded models for charities delivering these vital services, given how crucial this is to support the NHS in the services that it delivers. All of us at Cancer Support Scotland will remain focused on improving the wellbeing of all those affected by cancer, and to play whatever role we can in future.”