Information and support from Macmillan
We offer people affected by cancer access to good quality information and support. You may have cancer yourself, care for a friend or relative, work as a healthcare professional or simply want to know more about cancer.
Looking after the whole of you — a Holistic Needs Assessment
If you have cancer, you often need care, support and information above and beyond the management of your condition.
At a Holistic Needs Assessment, a doctor, nurse or support worker will discuss your physical, emotional and social needs. It’s about you as a whole, not just your illness.
This is a chance for you to share as much as you want about your worries and concerns. It will help us to clarify your needs and make sure you are referred to the relevant services to optimise your health and wellbeing.
It’s not compulsory, and if you decide not to have an HNA it won’t affect your care. However, many patients find it useful because it identifies the help available.
A HNA may be offered:
- around the time of diagnosis or start of treatment
- when surgery, chemotherapy or radiotherapy has been completed
- any time a patient asks for one