Published on 29 June 2026
Cheshire and Merseyside Cancer Alliance (CMCA) has launched a new digital toolkit for professionals to help signpost people affected by cancer across Cheshire and Merseyside to extra support for psychological health and social needs.
The Psychosocial Support Hub: Toolkit And Services Directory – hosted on the Cancer Academy website – is a collection of resources and information to show cancer professionals where patients can go for extra support around the emotional, psychological, and social needs brought about by their experience with cancer.
Cheshire and Merseyside faces significant challenges related to cancer with about 17,000 people diagnosed each year, and more than 111,200 currently living with and beyond the disease. Research has shown that the emotional impact of life with or after cancer can have a significant toll on people’s mental health.
The new toolkit supports professionals working with individuals affected by cancer by providing access to local psychological, and social support links and training across the cancer pathway. It also has a section showing how the toolkit can be promoted to other colleagues and within NHS Trusts and other organisations.
Developed in partnership with healthcare professionals, voluntary organisations, and people with lived experience, the toolkit reflects a commitment to person-centred, holistic care.
By improving access to psychosocial support and reducing isolation, the initiative aims to help individuals navigate the challenges of cancer more effectively by having better access to local support and resources.
Pat Gillis, Associate Director and Lead Nurse for CMCA, said, “We are pleased to be able to offer the Cheshire and Merseyside Psychosocial Toolkit to cancer care specialists to help them with the support they provide to people affected by cancer. Our hope is that this toolkit will allow them to be able to quickly access training and resources that will help them guide the people they support to the right service at the right time.”
Dr Jane Hutton, Consultant Clinical Psychologist, CMCA Clinical Lead and Professional Lead for Clinical Health Psychology at Liverpool University Hospitals, said, “Being diagnosed with cancer and going through treatment can have an impact both immediately and in the longer term, affecting people’s lives in ways that they may have not anticipated.
“We have taken a person-centred approach to mental health and wellbeing in designing the Cheshire and Merseyside Psychosocial Toolkit and are aiming to help professionals identify the most suitable psychosocial support options that will help meet the needs of people living with and beyond cancer.”
People can access the toolkit here: https://shorturl.at/SD6Qc