Bupa Health Clinics has partnered with the cancer support charity, Macmillan Cancer Support, to provide counselling to people with cancer who are struggling to cope emotionally.
The new partnership offers people with high levels of emotional need as a result of their cancer experience free one-on-one counselling from a qualified Bupa counsellor.
A successful pilot from August 2020 to January 2021 saw 139 patients using the service. 76% of users reported a reduction in feelings of depressions and 72% a reduction in anxiety.
Ed Wallace, Head of Innovation at Macmillan Cancer Support, said: “For many people, it is more frightening and isolating to get a cancer diagnosis or to go through treatment today than at any other time in recent history. We are getting an increasing number of calls from people struggling with isolation and experiencing very high anxiety levels, without their usual support of family and friends around them. This partnership will help us provide further support to people living with cancer, who are struggling to cope emotionally and need us more than ever.”
Alaana Woods, Commercial Director at Bupa Health Clinics, added: “No one should go through cancer alone – but the pandemic has meant that family and friends can’t always be by people’s side.
“That’s why our mental health nurses are just a phone call way, 24 hours a day. Now more than ever we know it’s a vital service and continue to see much needed positive outcomes.”
Anyone affected by cancer, who is feeling anxious, depressed or in need of someone to talk to should call the Macmillan Support Line on 0808 808 00 00 and ask about the Bupa service.
About Bupa
Bupa's purpose is helping people live longer, healthier, happier lives and making a better world.
We are an international healthcare company serving over 31 million customers worldwide. With no shareholders, we reinvest profits into providing more and better healthcare for the benefit of current and future customers.
We directly employ around 85,000 people, principally in the UK, Australia, Spain, Chile, Poland, New Zealand, Hong Kong SAR, Turkey, Brazil, Mexico, the US, Middle East and Ireland. We also have associate businesses in Saudi Arabia and India.
