£500,000 invested to protect future of vital service
The future of an essential scheme that last year helped nearly 1,000 patients access over £4million has been settled thanks to funding from Lingen Davies Cancer Support.
The Welfare Rights Service to support local cancer patients was previously delivered in partnership between Macmillan and City of Wolverhampton Council. Following changes to the previous funding structure regional managers of the valuable programme, which operates out of the Hamar Centre on The Royal Shrewsbury Hospital site, contacted Lingen Davies Cancer Support to secure its future as a local, personalised, and face to face service.
Lingen Davies Cancer Support has agreed a £500,000 investment to guarantee the continuation of operations for patients in Shropshire, Telford and Wrekin, and Powys for patients undergoing treatment at the Royal Shrewsbury Hospital’s Lingen Davies Cancer Centre.
The service responds directly to the significant financial hardship many individuals experience following a cancer diagnosis, including loss of income, increased living costs, and additional expenses associated with treatment.
Naomi Atkin, CEO at Lingen Davies Cancer Support, said: “When we were first approached to fund this local service, we knew it was imperative that we took it on to ensure those in our community affected by cancer continue to have access to the same high level of support to ensure their financial security during cancer treatment.
“Everything we do as a charity is to make a positive difference for local people with cancer and ensure their journey following a diagnosis is as smooth and comfortable as possible. This vital service removes the unnecessary financial stress that frequently comes with cancer, enabling people to focus on themselves, their family and friends, and their treatment and wellbeing.”
From June 2026, the service will be known as the Lingen Davies Welfare Rights Service with funding agreed to protect operations and delivery until 2029. It will continue to be delivered by the City of Wolverhampton Council.
Angela Pattison, Manager of the Welfare Rights Service for the area, said it’s great news that Lingen Davies has stepped in to ensure the vital programme can continue to be delivered.
“Finding out about what benefits are available when you’re going through cancer often falls by the wayside, people have got a lot going on. That’s why we’re here. We identify and submit all potential claims an individual and their family can make so that they can focus on care and treatment without worrying about money.
“We are exceptionally excited for our new venture where we will continue to deliver the same confidential and comprehensive service for cancer patients throughout Shropshire, Telford and Wrekin, and Mid Wales.
“Last year we dealt with nearly 1,000 residents in Shropshire, Telford, and Powys and helped them generate over £4million in income. It’s always worth having a conversation with us to find out what you may be entitled to,” she added.
Individuals can be referred by Clinical Nurse Specialists, GPs, Primary Care Teams, Clinicians, or through self-referral at any point in their cancer pathway to benefit from this service. Priority will be given to individuals with an SR1 form who are terminally ill. Patients living in Mid Wales who receive cancer care at Shrewsbury and Telford Hospitals will also be supported by this service.
Once allocated, a Welfare Rights Officer employed by the City of Wolverhampton Council will complete a comprehensive benefits assessment with the individual, identifying all potential new claims for the individual and their household before completing all relevant benefit applications on their behalf.
Siwan Owen, Lead Cancer Nurse for Shrewsbury and Telford Hospital NHS Trust, said: “Unfortunately, we often see patients face financial insecurity soon after receiving a cancer diagnosis, whether that’s from needing to have time off work, additional transport costs, or other expenses associated with treatment. That’s why this fully funded service is so vital for people with cancer. It makes a time that is already one of the most difficult to face that little bit easier.”
To find out more about the Welfare Rights Service, please send an email to [email protected].
