Cancer Council WA is grateful to the McCusker Charitable Foundation for its generous grant to support a new Nurse Counsellor program within our existing 13 11 20 service.
Our 13 11 20 phone line is available Monday to Friday for anyone to reach out and ask for information, advice and support in relation to cancer. Qualified health professionals take all calls and now, thanks to this support, we also have a Nurse Counsellor on staff to provide support to callers who are in significant distress.
The program provides support to West Australians affected by a cancer diagnosis who are experiencing high levels of distress through interim support of up to 3 counselling sessions with our in-house Nurse Counsellor.
Callers are asked to score their level of distress, using our Distress Thermometer tool. Clients who score highly on the Distress Thermometer, or who show signs of significant distress, are offered the opportunity to speak with our new Nurse Counsellor, who provides specialised support.
Cancer Council WA Supportive Care Director, Melanie Marsh, said that this new funding will help to provide crucial emotional support for people facing one of the toughest times in their life.
Our new Nurse Counselling program is transforming supportive cancer care. Callers have reported feeling more supported and less distressed, leading to improvements in their mental wellbeing and quality of life.
Since launching in April 2026, the Nurse Counselling Program has supported 15 clients across 21 sessions. Feedback from the program has been positive:
- 100 per cent of respondents said the Nurse Counselling program improved their quality of life.
- 100 per cent of respondents agreed that they felt supported during periods of high stress.
- 100 per cent of respondents said using this service improved their mental wellbeing.
For many people, facing a cancer diagnosis can bring with it increased stress, anxiety and long-term effects if not addressed timely. In WA, some people can wait for up to six months to access specialist cancer counselling services.
Access to important services like counselling and nurse counselling are essential to support our communities and ensure everyone has access to the care they need.
I was allocated the same person for three sessions, and I was extremely grateful for the ability to access this service on the day I rang Cancer Council WA
– Anonymous
Every support service we offer is donor funded, and this funding from the McCusker Charitable Foundation will have a lasting impact on the wellbeing of all West Australians impacted by a cancer diagnosis.
