Frequently asked questions

Cancer Help for Ethnic Communities Service

Who is the CHEC service for?

The CHEC service is for Black & Minority Ethnic (BME) people with cancer at any stage of the illness, who live in Bristol or South Gloucestershire

Why is there a service specifically for BME people? 

According to 2001 data collected by the Office of National Statistics, the total minority ethnic population of the UK numbered 4.6 million which is 7.9% of the population.  Although current numbers are unavailable at this time, we can be sure that there will have been an increase in these numbers.

The NHS recognises the need for services to be focused on the needs of users and this has been further emphasised in the publication of the NHS Cancer Plan (Department of Health, 2000) and more recently the Cancer Reform Strategy (Department of Health, 2007). With such a diverse population, the needs of service users will vary especially when considering aspects such as language, culture, taboo, religious and family traditions to name just a few.  The Race Relations Act (Amendment) 2000 states that public bodies have a statutory duty to ensure that such needs are taken into account when providing a service and various studies including the Calman Hine Report (1995) identified a need to improve cancer services for BME patients, families and carers.

The CHEC service is just one service that the NHS offers to assist in meeting the needs of BME people and ensuring that a person is not disadvantaged as a result of individual needs relating to their culture or ethnicity.

Who can make a referral to the CHEC service and how? 

Anyone can make a referral to the CHEC service if they are aware of someone from a BME background who is affected by cancer.  Referral forms are available to download from the website and can also be made over the telephone. 

What happens once the referral has been received?

Once a referral has been received, the support and development worker will make contact with the main person named on the referral to offer a visit at home, hospital or wherever the person may be.  Referrals usually receive a speedy response though this may be affected by factors such as the need for an interpreter.

Once the CHEC worker has met with the service user, they will agree on a support plan together, taking into consideration the needs of other family members and/or carers. 

What does CHEC offer patients and their families?

As needs are individual to a patient and/or their family, it is difficult to be specific in describing what CHEC can offer.  Each case is assessed on its own merit and needs identified accordingly but examples of work CHEC has done in the past include:-

• Emotional support such as telephone calls and home visits.

• Practical support such as helping the patient to access charity grants, where necessary helping them complete applications, making referrals onto appropriate agencies such as Care Direct for social care needs, Avon & Bristol Law Centre or Immigration Advice Service for legal and immigration advice or the Benefits Agency for benefits assessment, advice and assistance with applications.

• Language support by arranging for interpreting or translating where appropriate.

• General advice and information.  This has often included introducing the patient to services that they may not have known about such as hospice services, Macmillan and local minority ethnic community groups and agencies who can provide additional support. 

• Cancer Awareness sessions to groups of people where they can learn more about cancer, the risk factors and the services available to them.

• General support and advice for other healthcare professionals and others involved with the care of the patient.

How does CHEC work with other teams and services?

On a regular basis, CHEC will work closely with teams such as the hospice community team, hospital clinical nurse specialists and support services in the local community to assist in their efforts to provide culturally appropriate care and support.  Often, the CHEC worker will support staff who are dealing with situations which they find challenging and that may require cultural sensitivity. 

An example may be that nursing staff want to restrict the number of visitors to a dying patient as it may be deemed too noisy and disruptive for the patient and others on the ward.  However, it may be of great spiritual importance to the family and affect their view of the future to hear and acknowledge the words of their dying loved one. 

CHEC may be able to support the staff and offer suggestions on how reasonable adjustments can be made to meet the family’s needs without causing distress to the patient or others around them.

As part of the development work undertaken involves raising an awareness of cancer among BME communities, the CHEC worker will sometimes work alongside clinical nurse specialists to deliver information sessions. 

CHEC also has strong links with a number of local BME organisations who will often work jointly in the co-ordination of specific community events including organisation of practical arrangements such as booking a venue, arranging transport, refreshments and language support.

The CHEC service is managed alongside the Palliative Care Home Support (PCHS) service and the worker will often give advice or provide relevant information on cultural issues and beliefs for the staff team who are providing end of life care in people’s homes.

How do we know if the CHEC service is effective?

An evaluation of the CHEC service carried out in 2006 by University of the West of England concluded that it is a cost-effective service that is helping to improve cancer care for BME people.  (Cancer Help for Ethnic Communities (CHEC) An Evaluation of the service – Naidoo, J et al, 2006) 

In addition the service regularly receives positive feedback from patients, their families and other healthcare professionals.