FOCUS Support and Information Centre
Our Focus Support and Information Centre is situated in the heart of the Oncology Centre in the outpatient waiting area of Cheltenham General Hospital.
Here to help: The Focus Support and Information Centre
The team are there to support our patients at every step; from a diagnosis of cancer to advice during and beyond their treatment. The team work alongside the NHS clinical team and offer daily support of pre-chemotherapy and pre-radiotherapy information sessions together with practical and emotional support and advice to patients and their families and carers.
Drop-in times: Monday-Friday, 8:30 – 4:30
Tel: Ali on 0300 422 4414 or Mandy on 0300 422 3226
Email: ali.williams2@nhs.net
What The Focus Support Centre offers
Amongst the services available are: general information, support and advice on many types of cancer, advice on hair loss, nutritional needs, side effects, talking with children, financial and estate planning, travel insurance, fatigue, support for carers etc. The centre is able to signpost people to benefits support, health and wellbeing events, counselling and psychological services, drop in sessions regarding creating a will or powers of attorney and various cancer rehabilitation programs across the county.
Complementary Therapies
The support team recruit a team of qualified therapists who offer complimentary therapies for patients. Therapies available are: Indian Head Massage, hand massage, reflexology, reiki, gentle shoulder & back massage and Emotional Freedom Technique (EFT) to help relieve anxiety, phobias and relax patients during their treatment.
Wig Clinic
Focus provides a weekly NHS wig clinic with a professional wig consultant. The consultations are free of charge, last 30 minutes and are pre-bookable through the centre. Wig prescriptions are also available through the support centre. The current charge is £71.25. For the convenience of patients we also stock a variety of head wear such as sleeping caps, silk scarves and bamboo hats. Please note that all products (except for wigs) must be paid for in cash.
Car park Treatment Permits for oncology outpatients on treatment
Oncology outpatients may obtain treatment permits for the oncology carpark off the Keynsham Road. The permit is for the use of outpatients when they have treatment appointments.
Make a donation
The Focus Support and Information Centre is kindly funded by donations to Cheltenham and Gloucester Hospitals Charity Focus fund.
Your donations help to fund specialist care, state-of-the-art equipment and groundbreaking research at the Gloucestershire Oncology Centre.
Find out more:
- Visit www.gloshospitals.nhs.uk/charity
- 0300 422 3231
- ghn-tr.fundraising@nhs.net
- Charity Office, Cheltenham General Hospital, Cheltenham, GL53 7AN
Other recommended services
Maggie's Centre (Cheltenham)
Maggie's provides free practical, emotional and social support to people with cancer and their families and friends. At Maggie’s Cheltenham, their specialist staff offer one-to-one advice as well as group sessions, workshops and courses aimed at helping to address the physical and psychological impact of living with cancer.
Drop-in times: Monday-Friday, 9am – 5pm
Tel: 01242 250611
Email: Maggie's Centre
Website: Maggie's Centre Website
Churchdown abc
Chuchdown abc is a community self-help support group for patients, carers, relatives and friends. They provide opportunities for people affected by cancer to meet socially in relaxed, friendly surroundings.
Drop-in times: 2nd and 4th Tuesday
Trevor 01452 857077 or David 01452 552926
Charlies (Gloucester & The Forest of Dean)
Charlie’s provides a free drop in support centre for anyone affected by cancer. Charlie’s offers friendship and support and a range of holistic therapies.
Drop in Tuesday, Wed and Thursday 10-2
Tel: 07786 547439
Email: charlies2014@yahoo.co.uk
Website: www.charlies.org.uk
Great Oaks (Coleford)
Great Oaks is a free support centre for people living with cancer and their carers. Great Oaks provides advice, information and support for anyone having treatment, living with or surviving cancer. Great Oaks offers support groups, complementary therapies, counselling and friendship.
Drop in Monday to Friday 9-5
Tel: 01594 811910
Email: clerical@great-oaks.org.uk
Website: www.great-oaks.org.uk
Longfield Hospice (Minchinhampton)
Longfield hospice provides emotional and practical support for patients and families. Longfield provides support for people at all stages of their illness for people aged 18 and over and their families.
Tel: 01453 886868
Website: www.longfield.org.uk
Gloucestershire Carers Hub
Gloucestershire Carers Hub can help the life of people who are carers. They offer support in a number of ways, from information about benefit entitlement to emotional support. Services include: counselling, emergency support, carer to carer support, time out for carers breaks, support groups.
Tel: 0300 111 9000
Website: https://gloucestershirecarershub.co.uk/
Macmillan Next Steps Cancer Rehabilitation
Next Steps is an NHS specialist cancer rehabilitation service which supports anyone living in Gloucestershire who has been diagnosed with breast, colorectal or prostate cancer.
Tel: 0300 421 6586
Email: nextsteps@glos-care.nhs.uk
Support our cancer services
Focus is the charitable fund for the Gloucestershire Oncology Centre, raising funds which directly provide extra care, specialist equipment and improvements to facilities for local cancer patients.