A new integrated health and social care service offering people living with cancer and their families emotional, practical and financial support is being formally launched across the Forth Valley area, as part of a successful model being rolled out across Scotland.

Funded by Macmillan Cancer Support and the Scottish Government and delivered in partnership with NHS Forth Valley, Falkirk Health and Social Care Partnership, Clackmannanshire and Stirling Health and Social Care Partnership and local third sector organisations, the Improving the Cancer Journey (ICJ) approach has now been fully embedded within the established Macmillan One to One (Mac One) service in Forth Valley.

This integration creates a single, coordinated service that combines clinical pathways and tailored, non-clinical support for people affected by cancer.

The Macmillan One to One service has supported people affected by cancer across Forth Valley since 2012. Working closely with hospital teams, primary care, social care and third-sector partners, the service helps individuals, families and carers navigate the cancer journey, supporting smoother transitions between hospital and community services and enabling people to live as well as possible with and beyond cancer.

By integrating the ICJ model, Mac One has been strengthened to reach more people earlier and respond more effectively to the non-medical issues that can have a significant impact on health and wellbeing. Although ICJ is non-clinical, its delivery within Mac One ensures a seamless bridge between health, social care and third sector support.

In 2024, investment from the Scottish Government and Macmillan Cancer Support enabled NHS Forth Valley to introduce the Improving the Cancer Journey model as part of national implementation. Its integration into Mac One represents a significant step forward in delivering a holistic, person-centred approach for people affected by cancer in Forth Valley that means they are given a significant voice in their own care.

The ICJ element of the service focuses on identifying and addressing non-clinical needs following a cancer diagnosis, using a holistic needs assessment and personalised care planning approach. The service is free and available to anyone living in Forth Valley who has been newly diagnosed with cancer, regardless of where they receive treatment.

Members of the ICJ team work as part of the wider Mac One service, meeting people face to face in a comfortable, non-clinical setting of their choice or online. They help individuals identify what matters most to them, connect with appropriate local services and provide ongoing support as needs change.

Support may include help with emotional wellbeing, financial and benefits advice, housing issues, caring responsibilities, reducing isolation and loneliness, access to complementary therapies and managing day-to-day practical challenges.

📺 Watch: About the Macmillan One to One Service

Mary Wallace, from Dunipace, was diagnosed with terminal pancreatic cancer in November 2025 and referred to the Mac One service the following month. Two members of the team carried out a joint visit to meet Mary and her family, providing information, guidance and emotional support following her diagnosis.

A holistic needs assessment was completed to understand what mattered most to Mary. This led to a range of actions, including arranging financial assistance, sourcing appropriate physical aids, and making a referral to the social work team to help secure a care package.

Mary’s son, Derek, was involved in the Mac One visits and benefited indirectly from the support provided. Reflecting on the impact of the service, he said: “Macmillan didn’t just support my mum, they gave our family time. And when cancer is taking everything else away, time is the most precious thing there is.”

NHS Forth Valley Nurse Consultant for Cancer and Palliative Care Dr Ashleigh Ward said: “It has been a privilege to work alongside such an impactful, person centred and passionate team. Our colleagues and patients from across Forth Valley have played a vital role in formally implementing Improving Cancer Journey, and their contribution has shaped every step. These next stages in our transformation journey will help us reach even more people affected by cancer, building on our collective commitment to improving cancer care across Forth Valley.”

Gemma Peters, Chief Executive Officer at Macmillan Cancer Support, said: “100 people are diagnosed with cancer every day in Scotland. Each of those people will face a different set of worries. About their health, but also their relationships, their work and their finances.

“That’s why Macmillan is so proud to be bringing the Improving the Cancer Journey model to the people of Forth Valley. It means that at the time of diagnosis, every person will have a conversation about what matters most to them, looking beyond the cancer itself, so that the care they receive wraps around them and their needs.

“We’ve already seen the real difference ICJ is making for people in the Glasgow city area, where personalised support has eased some of their worries and meant they’re able to live better with cancer. We look forward to seeing ICJ become available across the whole of Scotland this year, so that every person affected by cancer gets the care that’s right for them.”

Health Secretary Neil Gray said: “We are committed to supporting people with cancer to deal with the financial, emotional and physical health effects of cancer.

“With Forth Valley celebrating the implementation of their Improving the Cancer Journey service this week, and Grampian set to go live this summer, it’s fantastic to see the programme will be offered within every local authority area across the country.

“I am pleased that this joint funding between ourselves and Macmillan Cancer Support will mean every cancer patient in Scotland will have access to a specialist key support worker to advise them on their non-clinical concerns. The service will also benefit clinicians, by freeing up their time that may have been spent providing this support, so that they will have more time to offer direct medical and clinical support to patients.”

For more information about the service, including how to make a referral, visit nhsforthvalley.com/macmillan. Referrals can be made by anyone, including self-referrals.