Pathways to Work programme is failing cancer survivors says Macmillan

A new report, commissioned by Macmillan Cancer Support, casts serious doubt on whether the previous Government’s Pathways to Work (PtW) programme, which aims to support sick or disabled people back to work, meets the needs of people living with cancer.

Aspects of PtW such as the Condition Management Programme (CMP), which was originally focused on claimants with mental health, musculoskeletal and cardiovascular conditions, are not sufficiently personalised to the needs of cancer patients, according to the report.

The report recommends that support needs to be targeted more towards specific needs of people with cancer. For example many cancer survivors would really benefit from help managing pain, a common side-effect of cancer and cancer treatment. The report also recommends that back to work programmes should offer ongoing assistance to people once they have returned to work, as the first months back can be the hardest.

Duleep Allirajah, Policy Manager at Macmillan Cancer Support, said:  ’It’s vital that Department of Work and Pensions back-to-work support evolves to meet the needs of the growing number of cancer survivors wanting to return to work. For many people, going back to work is a fundamental step towards getting their lives back on track. However, one-size-fits-all services don’t work for cancer patients. We need services that are more personalised and that provide ongoing support once people are back in work.’

The report, Finding a Clearer Path: Review of Pathways to Work for people with cancer, can be found by clicking here.

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