Scottish Labour have pledged £4 million to ensure the survival of a network of axe-threatened financial advice centres for cancer patients, including one in Dundee.
Leader Iain Gray said the money would be provided to Macmillan Cancer Support to continue the projects at Roxburghe House and four other cancer treatment centres if his party won the Holyrood election in May.
The programme, which only has funding until April, helps patients claim benefits they are entitled to.
It emerged in September that the service helped Tayside cancer sufferers claim more than £2.5 million in benefits in its first year.
But Macmillan say more than £8 million is still going unclaimed by people with terminal cancer in Scotland every year.
Mr Gray said, “Macmillan Cancer Support do a tremendous job and my government will guarantee £4 million to continue the programme of financial advice projects they operate at the five main cancer centres across Scotland.
“We know that when patients are diagnosed with cancer it can cause a sudden loss of income, but almost a third of terminally ill patients don’t receive benefits to which they are automatically entitled.”
He added, “This scheme is about providing practical financial assistance and it has succeeded in putting tens of millions of pounds into the pockets of Scots families that would otherwise remain unclaimed in the Treasury.”
Launched three years ago at the Beatson West of Scotland Cancer Centre in Glasgow, the scheme was rolled out across Scotland in 2009 with investment from the Scottish Government.Benefits advice ‘vital’A government spokeswoman said, “We agree it is very important to help cancer patients maximise their income.
“We were impressed with Macmillan’s pilot work to establish the advice centre at the Beatson, which is why we have provided them with more than half a million pounds over two years to make this kind of service available at the other Scottish cancer treatment centres.”
She added, “Macmillan works in partnership with local government, NHS and other advice providers to deliver these services.”
The Courier understands Macmillan and the government are in discussions over future funding for the service.
The Western General Hospital in Edinburgh, Raigmore Hospital in Inverness and Aberdeen Royal Infirmary also run similar advice projects.
Director of Macmillan Cancer Support in Scotland Elspeth Atkinson said, “A cancer diagnosis can have a significant impact on your finances.
“That’s why investing in benefits advice services in the cancer centres is so vital.”
She added, “We want everyone diagnosed with cancer in Scotland to be referred to information and benefits advice as a routine part of their care.
“This is the best way to ensure they get the support they need.”