Decision on PCN Cancer Navigator Service

Thursday, 27 August 2026

 

Southport and Formby Primary Care Network has completed a review of its services and, following careful consideration, has made the difficult decision to withdraw funding for the Cancer Navigator service currently delivered by staff at the Southport Macmillan Centre with effect from 1 April 2027.

This decision has already been communicated directly to the Southport Macmillan Centre.

We recognise the value of the Cancer Navigator service and understand that this news will be disappointing for patients, families and staff. However, the decision has been driven by significant financial pressures facing Primary Care Networks nationally. Shortly before the start of the 2026/27 financial year, a substantial proportion of PCN core funding was removed, while our legal and contractual obligations remained unchanged.

In reviewing our services, our priority has been to protect those services that we are required to provide and those that support the largest number of patients across Southport and Formby.

We would like to reassure patients and the public of the following:

• Current service arrangements: The PCN will continue to fund the Cancer Navigator service until 31st March 2027.

• Ongoing patient support: GP practices across Southport and Formby remain fully committed to supporting people living with and beyond a cancer diagnosis. We will continue to work with partner organisations to ensure that appropriate support remains available for those who need it.

As a Primary Care Network, our responsibility is to safeguard essential frontline patient care and ensure the long-term sustainability of services for everyone registered with a Southport and Formby GP practice. While this has been an extremely difficult decision, it has been made to protect the core services that benefit the widest possible number of local patients both now and in the future.