Cancer advice service to get £500k boost

More cash is to be ploughed into support services for cancer patients at Edinburgh's Western General Hospital, Health Secretary Nicola Sturgeon announced today.

Over the next year, 500,000 will be invested in Macmillan Cancer Support advice centres in Scotland's five regional cancer care hubs, including the Western.

Macmillan provides a range of practical and emotional support including money and benefits advice and signposts to employment advice, advice on house adaptions and training for people who need to change jobs because of their illness.

Ms Sturgeon said: "Macmillan advice centres provide vital support to many people who are going through an incredibly difficult time.

"Living with cancer can mean people have to give up work or adapt their house. These trained advisors will help people tap into the help that is available. They offer a listening ear and helping hand when people need it most."