Other services

As well as taking people with cancer and people needing kidney dialysis to hospital The Driving Force offers some other services to some people with cancer. All these services are free.

Unfortunately, we do not have the capacity to offer them to everyone. If you would like more information or to find out if you are eligible please leave your name and number with your GP practice and our coordinator will get in touch.

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Nail treatments (manicure/pedicure)

Sessions will be carried out in therapist’s premises and transport by The Driving Force is available if required. A maximum of six monthly sessions is available during chemotherapy or radiotherapy treatment.

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Hairdressing

Sessions will carried out in person’s home. This will be monthly as needed during chemotherapy, or radiotherapy treatment or while hair still affected by these therapies.

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Podiatry (chiropody/nail cutting)

Monthly nail cutting will be carried out in client’s home during chemotherapy or radiotherapy treatment and until any significant nail damage has grown out.

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Massage/Reiki/Relaxation/Aromatherapy/Mindfulness

Many people who have experienced these therapies report

• Increased feelings of wellbeing
• Increased feelings of relaxation
• A reduction in their feelings of anxiety
• An improvement in their sleep pattern
• Feelings of increased comfort and reduction in tension
• Greater ability to cope with their situation

Therapies will be carried out in people’s own home and are also available for a close family member requiring help to manage the stress of the situation. Sessions will be monthly, if needed, during chemotherapy or radiotherapy treatment. These therapies are all very gentle and can be carried out while someone is dressed. Relatives can be taught how to give a relaxing treatment to their family member.

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Mindfulness course

People will be taught techniques to help them manage anxiety and stress, reduce tension and help sleep. Sessions will be held locally. The course will consist of eight two-hour sessions. This is available for clients and their immediate family. Transport by Driving Force is available if required.

Guidance for therapy sessions

The Driving Force strives to deliver the highest standard of service to all clients. These will be adhered to at all times by the therapist.

Confidentiality

All sessions will be conducted in confidence. This confidentiality will be maintained and applied to all records, except in the following instances:

• Where the client gives consent for the confidence to be broken.
• Where the therapist is compelled by a court action.
• Where information is ‘of such gravity that confidentiality cannot be maintained, e.g. where there is a possibility of ‘serious physical harm to self or others’ involved.

Sessions

• All sessions will be scheduled by Driving Force Co-ordinators and their length shall be dependent on treatment.
• The Driving Force and therapist will agree a provisional number and duration of any sessions after the first session.
• A telephone consultation will be required before the first scheduled appointment to decide what is suitable.
• It is expected that clients give a minimum of 24 hours notice if they are unable to keep an appointment. This is to ensure best use of therapist’s / hairdresser’s time.
• The therapist / hairdresser will strive to give a minimum of 24 hours’ notice of any cancelled sessions, whenever possible.
• Sessions will be reviewed regularly.

We have a data protection policy. The relevant information about your data is copied below. If you wish to see the whole policy it can be accessed on our website. If you wish we will provide you with a paper copy. We are required to get you sign and date this so that we can hold data on you, in order to provide you with our services.