Engaging the corporate sector to support cancer patients - The - - PowerPoint PPT Presentation


 Engaging the corporate sector
 to support cancer patients


The Australian experience"

Paula Vallentine

Manager, Direct Cancer Services, CISS Cancer Council NSW

"

Where we are situated"

"

Where we are situated"

• Why establish legal and financial planning

services?"

• Engagement of corporate sector"
• Pilot programs "
• How the program is delivered"
• Evaluation results"
• Summary "

" "

Presentation Overview"

! Cancer: a legal and financial minefield for patients"

Health insurance: am I covered? I need time off – what are my rights at work? I can’t pay my mortgage – will I lose my house? I need my super/retirement savings and income protection insurance I need help managing my finances I need to prepare a will and power of attorney I think my cancer is work-related I’ve had to stop working – now I can’t keep on top of my credit card debt I"

2009!Social!Workers!needs!assessment !

0! 10! 20! 30! 40! 50! 60! 70! 80! 90! 100! %!of!social!workers!iden=fying!issue!as!unmet/high!priority! need! Unmet!need! High!priority!

Pilot Program – 6 months - successful"

• Engagement with Corporate Sector
• Steering Committees
• Area Health Service approval
• Cancer Council Helpline
• Referrals processed by Cancer Council NSW
• Preparing the Professionals

Understanding cancer Communication strategies Boundaries Self care

Financial Planning evaluation:
 summary of findings - 2010"

" Clients (n=35)"

Advice would help them financially – 89% Felt better since seeing the FP – 80% Had acted on advice given – 74%

Recommendation: "

• Program to continue and expand
• More avenues to promote the service
• More education for planners
• Complaints procedure for clients


 
 The program now - 2012"

Legal and Financial Planning Referral Service"

• Covering 4 states and 2 territories "
• 280 Law firms nationally"
• 358 Financial Planning Practices"
• > 2,600 families received assistance"

The referral process"

Pro Bono Case Manager

Matches client to lawyer and/or Financial Planner

Intake officer

Contacts client , assesses matter, means test

Social Worker or Cancer Council Helpline

Referral by fax or email

Who is eligible? "

Eligibility"

• Cancer patients, carers and bereaved carers
• Not able to pay for advice
• Not already receiving assistance

" Exclusions"

• Divorce
• Major crime
• Medical negligence

" " " "

Evaluation results"

"

"

"

Legal service evaluation results "

" " "

Clients (n=43)" Reaching target audience

56% clients could not afford legal advice 76% legal issues caused distress

Most common legal issues

Will and POA - 49% Superannuation/retirement savings - 20% Debt and credit – 14%

Psychosocial benefits

Reduced worries – 95% More empowered – 87%

Legal service evaluation results: "

Lawyers (n=63)" Reason for participation"

89% contribute something worthwhile / give back

Satisfaction"

90% lawyers were satisfied with referral matter 97% were satisfied with outcome for their client 98% were satisfied with their experience of providing pro-bono services for CCNSW “I think that this is a well-run and effective service.” “ All is going well. I would love to be able to provide more assistance.”

Cancer patients experience"

“ Couldn't believe things could be done so simply. They were wonderful. Can't tell you enough how much of a difference they made.”! ! “We feel a huge weight has been lifted off our shoulders. We are very happy and this has been a huge help to us. Thank you so much.”!

Summary "

"

Acknowledgements"

• Law and Justice Foundation NSW"
• AMP Financial Planning"
• Louisa Fitz-Gerald - Pro Bono National Manager"
• Sara Penman – Pro Bono Case Manager"
• Pro Bono Legal Firms and Law practices"
• Oncology social workers "
• Cancer Council Helpline Consultants"
• Allison Boyes – University of Newcastle"
• Gillian Batt – Director CISS"