Assembly Committee Visits Macmillan Cancer Support Centre

The Northern Ireland Assembly Committee for Social Development today visited the Macmillan Cancer Support Information Centre in Belfast.

The Centre provides information and help for people affected by cancer. In particular, Macmillan Cancer Support, working with advisers from the Citizens Advice Bureau, provide cancer patients and their families with financial, employment and benefits information.

Committee Chairperson, Simon Hamilton MLA said: “Everyone knows that cancer is a serious and debilitating condition. However few people are aware of the financial consequences of this disease for patients and their families. For example, the Committee was shocked to learn of the high levels of fuel poverty experienced by recovering cancer patients.

“The Committee is very happy to endorse the work of Macmillan Cancer Support and the Citizens Advice Bureau through the Information Centre to ensure that those affected by cancer get the benefits that they are entitled to. The Committee is also glad to give its support to the campaign to extend Winter Fuel Payments to seriously ill cancer patients throughout the UK.”