Dunipace family praise new cancer service being rolled out across Forth Valley

Mary Wallace, from Dunipace, was diagnosed with terminal pancreatic cancer in November 2025.

The following month she was referred to the Macmillan One to One (Mac One) service which saw two members of its team visiting Mary and her family to provide information, guidance and emotional support following her diagnosis.

They also carried out a holistic needs assessment to understand what mattered most to Mary. This saw them 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.”

This week saw the formal launch of the new integrated health and social care service in Forth Valley area, as part of a successful model being rolled out across Scotland.

Funded by Macmillan Cancer Support and the Scottish Government, it is being delivered by NHS Forth Valley, health and social partnerships and third sector organisations, and integrates the Improving the Cancer Journey (ICJ) approach within Mac One.

Mac One has supported people like Mary affected by cancer across Forth Valley since 2012. It works closely with hospital staff, primary care, social care and third sector partners to support and individuals, families and carers following a cancer diagnosis – and now there is a single service.

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 and allows people to have a voice in their own care.

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.

Dr Ashleigh Ward, NHS Forth Valley nurse consultant for cancer and palliative care, 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: “One hundred 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.”

Speaking at the launch 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, 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.