A SIX week tailored course for people living with chronic forms of cancer is to be introduced at Nightingale House Hospice next month.

The free programme has been created by Nightingale House Occupational Therapist, Clare Williams, and will be facilitated by a group of skilled health care professionals within the relaxed and supportive atmosphere of the hospice on Chester Road, Wrexham.

The Positive Action Programme takes place over six consecutive weeks and will help educate and support people to manage their health and well-being at a time when many experience anxiety, fear, fatigue and sleep issues.

Session topics include:

• Managing Stress & Worry

• Keeping Active for Health

• Eating Well

• Managing Energy Levels and Fatigue

• Learning to Relax

• Moving on Toolkit

Yvonne Lush, Head of Clinical and Patient Services said the programme had been developed to help support people with chronic forms of cancer, due to the fact more and more people are living with treatable but not curable cancer - often referred to as chronic cancer, cancer that cannot be cured or cancer that has come back.

She said: “Here at Nightingale House we want to cultivate a positive approach to this type of illness and enhance people’s quality of life. The opening of our new rehabilitation facility and provision of the new programme is very much a positive step in this direction.

“We don’t just deal with end of life care for those in-patients and their families who depend on us, but we are here for those who are managing their illness on a day to day basis or who require a short admission. We are promoting being independent, and supporting health and wellbeing at home.

Each session lasts approximately one and a half hours, in a group of no more than eight people to ensure all participants are able to ask questions and chat to others. A welcome pack will be included as well as refreshments during the session.

If you or someone you know believe they are eligible for the 'Positive Action Programme' and is 18 years or over and diagnosed with treatable but not curable cancer, then this programme can help you to self-manage your physical, mental and emotional health, to enhance the quality and enjoyment of your life.

Referral is via a health care professional such as your specialist nurse, or palliative care team.

For more information or to enquire about how your key worker for example, your Nurse Specialist can refer you, contact Nightingale House on 01978 316800 or email info@nightingalehouse.co.uk