This service is part of a wider partnership between Macmillan Cancer support and Citizens Advice nationally.
Our dedicated team of Rights Workers offers a free, confidential holistic service including advice on Welfare Benefits, Employment and Debt Advice to cancer patients, their families and carers. The service will, when appropriate, also signpost or refer clients to other agencies or organisations (including other Citizens Advice Bureau) to access further help with a range of other issues.
The service will be provided at Raigmore Hospital on wards and outpatients clinics, Maggie’s Centre and our own offices situated on the Raigmore Hospital site. We will also carry out Home Visits throughout the Scottish Highlands area.
Clients will be seen using an appointment system although a drop in services is available every Tuesday at Maggie’s Centre between 10am and 4pm.
Referrals will be accepted through self referral, front line health professionals and other organisation supporting people with cancer.
Contact with the Project can be made on 01463 706178. During normal office hours. Outside this time an answer machine is in operation 7 days a week/24 hours a day. A short message can be left leaving client contact details and a member of the MacMillan Team will contact the client usually within 48 hours maximum. Where appropriate, an appointment with a Rights Worker will be made for the client to coincide with their treatment at the respective hospital wherever possible.
As one client recently told us “I didn’t have the energy to find out about my benefit entitlement while going through treatment. The person who visited me took care of everything and now I’ve received benefits I never knew existed “