LUNG cancer sufferers can now benefit from a new support group run by Basingstoke hospital which had its first meeting last night.

The new group, meeting monthly at the Apollo Hotel, at Aldermaston Roundabout, has been set up to answer any questions patients or their families, partners or friends may have.

A lung cancer specialist nurse and a palliative care worker from the hospital are leading the group, which also gives people the opportunity to speak out about any concerns they have.

Each year in Basingstoke, about 100 patients are diagnosed with the disease, so demand for the support group is expected to be high.

Lung cancer specialist nurse Sue Wolstenholme said: “These meetings will be very informal and we want to encourage anyone affected by lung cancer to join us.

“We see the meetings as an opportunity to share information and support while also having the opportunity to ask questions in a comfortable setting.”

Palliative care social worker Rachel Gaffney said: “We really see lots of benefits in offering patients and their families the opportunity of meeting others in a similar situation as often this group of people say how isolated they feel.”

The meetings will take place between 11.30am and 1pm on the last Monday of each month. No prior appointments are necessary.

For further information, call 01256 473202 ext 4989, 01256 312764 or email sue.wolstenholme @bnhft.nhs.uk.