Read the Report
The Final Report for this study is now available. Please download it by clicking on the link below.
About our work
Recent research has shown that take-up of welfare benefits by people affected by cancer in Scotland is below the UK average, with £15m of Disabled Living Allowance, one of the main benefits for people with cancer going unclaimed every year. And take-up rates in Fife are below the Scottish average. Elsewhere in Scotland, specialised welfare benefits services for people affected by cancer are having a significant impact on people's lives- raising income levels substantially.
We've been commissioned by Macmillan cancer support to gather views from professionals providing care and people affected by cancer to find out how the situation in Fife can be improved. Macmillan has committed to funding to provide a specialist welfare benefits service for cancer patients in Fife and our work will help ensure that the proposed service's priorities will be shaped by the views of care providers and, most importantly, people affected by cancer themselves.
How will we carry out our work?
We intend to gather the views of professionals on welfare benefits advice by using a questionnaire and we'll talk to people affected by cancer at a series of group meetings throughout Fife to find out what they think about this important topic..
When will we carry out our work?
We will carry out the survey work during January and February 2006, meet with people affected by cancer in March and April 2006.
Who do we work with?
The project team are Dr Kate Ryan (lead), and Alistair Richardson of the CCRC, the Fife Partnership Board with members from Macmillan cancer support, NHS Fife, Fife Council, the voluntary sector and patient representatives.
Funding Organisation
Macmillan cancer support. We will write up a report based on our findings in May 2006.