An information centre for cancer patients, run by volunteers, is proving to be a huge success. Health Correspondent BARRY NELSON reports

WHEN Gill Lumsden put up a notice asking for volunteers who might be interested in helping Macmillan Cancer Care, she was bowled over by the response. "Fifty-five people came to that first meeting, which is really amazing," says Gill, who is responsible for setting up new Cancer Information Centres at Shotley Bridge Hospital and the University Hospital of North Durham.

So within a short period of time Gill, a fully-trained cancer nurse who also has a master's degree in public health, had 30 fully trained volunteers and another six standing by.

Cancer Information Centres are the new thing in cancer care, the idea being to provide ordinary people access to background information about every aspect of cancer and cancer treatment. But most centres set up in the North-East so far are working from a much smaller pool of volunteers.

Gill's salary has been paid out of the £660,000 raised by the phenomenally successful Macmillan Cancer Care County Durham Appeal, although she will eventually become part of the mainstream NHS payroll.

"Macmillan's role is to pump-prime this development but it is the County Durham and Darlington Acute Hospitals Trust which has invested in running the service," says Gill.

The concept of information centres came from Macmillan research, which showed that there were yawning gaps in the services provided to cancer patients and their families. While the quality of treatment has steadily improved - along with the survival rate - the pace at which the NHS now operates makes it difficult to obtain general information.

"When people see a doctor or specialist nurse they feel they can't spend the time they would like to spend with them because they are aware of a big, busy clinic waiting in the room outside," says Gill.

The idea is to offer patients and their families as much time as they need and good, basic information.

"I can't give clinical information, that is the role of the clinical team, but I can give general information on all aspects of cancer. For instance, how do you prepare yourself for a test, does it hurt, what side-effects might you expect and how you can cope with them," says Gill.

The centre at Shotley Bridge now has a library of leaflets, booklets, videos and audio aids and a private room. "We are in the waiting area where people are waiting for ambulances and taxis. We also have a sign outside the main door and above the reception desk," says Gill.

Volunteers, who have all had eight weeks training, will be available between 10am and 4pm. They will deal with basic questions but refer more complex questions to Gill. "What is really lovely about this team is that many of them have either direct experience of cancer or they have cared for someone with cancer, so they have a lot in common with patients who might be asking questions."

Typical of the Shotley Bridge volunteers is Margaret Hughes from Medomsley near Consett. "I have been involved in fundraising for Macmillan, organising coffee mornings and recently I have been looking after a neighbour, a gentleman in his 80s, who had cancer," says Margaret, 60, who was making a batch of jam for Macmillan when The Northern Echo rang her.

Marlane Seddon, 62, from Consett, lost her husband last year after she nursed him for eight months. She is delighted to be able to use her experience to help others. "I think what they are trying to do here is fantastic. When people come to see us, they will have somewhere nice and relaxing."

Betty Whaley, from Lanchester, 72, agrees: "When I went to the first meeting I liked what I heard. I think it's a great idea to have an informal set-up."

After the fantastic response at Shotley Bridge, Gill is confident of getting a similar surge of volunteers when she opens up the Durham City information centre in the New Year.

"I'm sure we will get a good response, the people around here are so committed to their local hospitals," she says.