The Southern Highlands Division works closely with The Cancer Council NSW to ensure that local cancer services are meeting the needs of cancer patients. The Division is represented on the committee of the two yearly event Relay for Life and contributes to this event by providing health professionals to assist with health promotion activities on the day.

The Division is also active on the Southern Highlands Cancer Network Leadership Committee which ensures that money being spent locally by the Cancer Council NSW is directed to the most effective areas in a coordinated manner. The Division has also been involved in activities and research with The Cancer Institute NSW and the University of New South Wales to support health care professionals in providing smoking cessation services.

Cancer Care for Patients

If your cancer patients require support or counseling they can ring The Cancer Council in Wollongong on 4225 3660. The Cancer Council provides telephone counseling, information and teleconference support groups for cancer patients.

Local Cancer Support Group for Patients and Carers

A Cancer Support Group for patients and carers is now operating successfully in the Highlands. The group meets on the 3rd Wednesday of the month at the Henrietta Rose Room near the Bowral library at 7pm. A guest speaker is invited every second month. Support is offered by way of discussion and activities with people in similar situations. Please let your patients with cancer and their carers know about this group if it would be of assistance to them. Contact person is Jann Wadsworth, ph 4869 3830, fax 4869 3831.

Cancer Council transport bus for patients and carers.

• Every weekday
• Convenient pick-up/drop-off points in Highlands towns
• $5 donation
• To book - patients call Cancer Council 4225 3660

Can Assist Southern Highlands

Can Assist is a charitable organisation to help cancer patients. It is run by a local committee and provides information and financial assistance for cancer sufferers and also supports the local palliative care service by funding equipment and private nursing services.

Contact details: Phone: 1300 668 376    
Old Bowral Hospital, Bowral 2576
Mail to: PO Box 693, Bowral 2576

For more information about any of the servicess listed here please contact Gail Forlonge.

Resources

• Smoking Cessation Guidelines for Australian General Practice 2004
• Latest information (2007) on smoking cessation pharmacotherapy
• Smoking cessation desk card summary