HNChelp, the NALC Chesterfield club, has a membership largely comprised of laryngectomees and their carers but has regularly welcomed other head and neck patients.

We try to publicise our work as widely as possible so that patients and carers know we are there for them. We are registered with Macmillan and by many local groups and lists, including Derbyshire Voluntary Action, Derbyshire County Council and others. Patients are referred to us by the local hospital and sometimes by GP practices or cancer support centres. Other patients or family members contact us having used the internet or a local library to find out about us. We were delighted to welcome two new patient members to our latest meeting, one who has had a a laryngectomy, the other extensive treatment for oropharyngeal cancer.

Not all the patients we help attend our meetings. For some, their needs and preferences are met with a one-off face to face meeting or conversation via phone or email.

The focus of our meetings has changed recently to reflect developing circumstances and needs of members. We have increased the opportunities for sharing experiences and have had fewer guest speakers. Sadly, a recurrent topic has been the challenges of getting NHS services in a timely fashion. Hearing how others have coped and resolved such matters is beneficial for all of us.