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 " " "
Presentation Overview " • Why establish legal and financial planning services? " • Engagement of corporate sector " • Pilot programs " • How the program is delivered " • Evaluation results " • Summary " " "
! Cancer: a legal and financial minefield for patients " I think my cancer I need help is work-related managing my Health insurance: finances am I covered? I need to I need time off prepare a will – what are my and power of rights at work? attorney I can’t pay my I’ve had to stop mortgage – will I working – now I lose my house? I need my can’t keep on super/retirement top of my credit savings and income card debt I" protection insurance
2009!Social! Workers !needs!assessment ! 100! %!of!social!workers!iden=fying!issue!as!unmet/high!priority! 90! 80! 70! 60! 50! need! 40! Unmet!need! 30! High!priority! 20! 10! 0!
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 " Social Worker or Cancer Council Helpline Referral by fax or email Intake officer Contacts client , assesses matter, means test Pro Bono Case Manager Matches client to lawyer and/or Financial Planner
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 "
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