The aim is to improve the care of patients with cancer and their families by appointing GPs in active practice to work with their colleagues in primary care and with those providing cancer services.
The two different aspects to the role:
A traditional educational facilitator role where the Macmillan health professional is expected to visit all the practices within a defined area (usually a Health Board area). To raise awareness of the issues around the management of patients with cancer and those with palliative care needs and to carry out an educational needs assessment. Macmillan has developed a Gold Standards Framework for the development of good practice in cancer and palliative care, which GP facilitators use.
A cancer lead role - a number of GPs have been appointed as lead GPs for a Health Board area with the main task of working with secondary care colleagues to bring about improvements in pathways of care. A network of individuals working as Cancer Leads at Local Health Care Cooperative level is also being supported by Macmillan but is currently in a pilot phase.
Qualifications and experience
Macmillan supports the idea that Macmillan health professionals should be in active general practice. This establishes and maintains credibility with GP peers. The individual should have an interest in cancer and palliative care and will require an understanding of emerging cancer and palliative care strategies and planning processes.
Those fulfilling the facilitator role should have some interest and experience in education and training and, in particular, some training in handling small groups. Those becoming involved in Lead Cancer GP work should have an understanding of change management and the confidence to deal, on equal terms, with secondary care colleagues.
It is important for both roles that the individual has adequate presentation skills and experience of writing reports. However, Macmillan grants do include generous allowances for personal development and education. Training needs are identified after interview.
Macmillan encourages the formation of local support groups that include key stakeholders and Macmillan representatives. These groups support the Macmillan health professional throughout the project and provide feedback to interested parties.
Macmillan procedures
Macmillan works in partnership with the Health Service and most GPs are employed by Health Boards or Trusts. In the future it is likely that they will be employed by Unified Boards. Macmillan works closely with Board members and ensures that new appointments complement their strategies.
How to apply
In the first instance, GPs should approach the manager with responsibility for cancer and palliative care issues at their Local Health Care Cooperative or Primary Care Trust to discuss current thinking on such appointments.
GPs can also contact a Macmillan service development manager or a Macmillan GP facilitator in Scotland or Northern Ireland.
Mr St John Hattersley
Head of Service Development
Macmillan Cancer Support
132 Rose Street
Edinburgh
EH2 3JD
Tel: 0131 260 3720
shattersley@macmillan.org.uk