Nurse replaced by leaflets

3:30pm Saturday 5th July 2008

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A CANCER support nurse, who has helped more than 1,000 people in Warminster, is being replaced by a collection of leaflets and books.

The popular Cancer Information and Support Service (CISS), based in Warminster library has been running successfully for four-and-a-half years.

It was announced this week that CISS, which is jointly run by Wiltshire Primary Care Trust and Wiltshire County Council, and part funded by Macmillan Cancer Support, will be losing its three-day-a-week cancer information manager Lorraine Painter.

Pam Goodger, who helped set up the service through the charity's Warminster branch in 2004, said: "The present role is going to change because the funding is no longer there to continue to have a trained nurse in attendance three times a week.

"Lorraine has got a tremendous heart and has helped so many people. We can't employ someone else unless you have the money there.

"Macmillan has a policy that they don't normally fund anything beyond three years. We were lucky to have it for as long as we did.

"We are very sad that it is no longer going to continue. The trouble is that this sort of establishment fills a gap because present day doctors have very little time."

Library staff, who have been commended by the charity for their dedication and hard work to support CISS, will continue to provide leaflets and books with information on cancer, working directly with the charity Positive Action on Cancer.

Lorraine Painter, CISS centre manager said: "I've really enjoyed working with members of the community over the last four years and would like to say a huge thank you on behalf of all the volunteers for helping to make the service such a success."

An application for lottery funding failed but organisers are hopeful that the service will return or, as the county council suggested, be 'extended' to other parts of the county.

Maggie Rae, joint director of public health at Wiltshire PCT, said: "I have visited the service in Warminster and was very impressed at the excellent facility and what it provides to the local community.

"It's important to highlight the contribution of volunteers in supporting this service and to emphasise the value that both the county council and Wiltshire PCT see in this service.

"We are now keen to reflect on what worked well with this service and how it can be provided across Wiltshire in a more sustainable manner."

Pauline Palmer, the county council's assistant director for libraries and heritage, said: "This innovative service was funded for four years and we now feel that we need to change the model to be a sustainable one for more Wiltshire communities.

"Lorraine Painter, our centre manager, is moving to a new role and we will all miss her. We have learnt a great deal by working with our partners and are very excited about the opportunity to extend our coverage."

Cancer support information is available by contacting www.cancerbackup.org.uk or calling 0808 800 1234 from 9am to 8pm Monday to Friday.