Important announcement from cancer support group MABS Costa Calida
MABS Costa Calida announce important changes in the translation services for patients from September 18
MABS Costa Calida Cancer Support Fundación, the well known and much appreciated cancer support group who provide practical help and support to local people who have been diagnosed with cancer, have made an important announcement regarding the translation services available to its patients, which will come into effect September 18.
The announcement was issued by MABS President, Beverley Thompson BEM as follows:
IMPORTANT MESSAGE from MABS Costa Calida
Earlier this year our advisors and legal representatives informed us of the need to review our service operations to comply with the fiscal and legal requirements associated with contracting freelance and external services in Spain.
To provide the necessary support for translation services for patients, MABS Trustees have entered into a collaboration agreement with Emergen Specialised Interpreting Sociedad Limitada (also known as Medical Link)
Medical Link have over 20 years' experience as highly qualified linguists, teachers, medical interpreters and translators and will coordinate translation services for assistance provided free of charge or funded by MABS.
Medical Link cover hospitals and health centres in the Murcia region (especially in the areas that most affect our patients) and have already worked with us on many support projects and provided invaluable assistance with our collaboration agreement with the Murcia Health Service.
Their team will assist with all our language and communication needs, notably interpreting for patients, handling incoming calls from medical professionals and hospital administration and any other situations where translation is required.
The collaboration begins officially on the 18th September 2023 and over the coming months their in-house team will be introduced to the translating panel. This collaboration also allows us to take advantage of Medical Link's extensive knowledge base, guidance, and contacts within the medical profession.
We are always enormously grateful for the contribution of volunteer and freelance translators (past and present) Medical Link are in contact with members of the translator panel and where appropriate will continue to use their services within this new operating model.
Medical Link will contact patients presently to confirm current appointments, offer ongoing assistance (in person and by phone) and explain the areas that most affect patients.
We appreciate that operational changes can be unsettling for patients, so this decision was taken with great care. Also, nothing should detract from the excellent work our volunteers do on behalf of so many people, so we feel it is necessary to publish this official memo and highlight some key points to avoid any misunderstandings or misinformation.
KEY POINTS
- Patients WILL NOT have to pay for this service, it remains a free service to people who have cancer and are registered with MABS.
- Medical Link will ensure that they will handle patient details and data in line with the GDPR laws in Spain, especially where personal medical information is concerned.
- Medical Link will provide continuity of assistance throughout consultations and all the treatment phases and offer access to their specialised support and phone services.
- Patients can opt to remain with their current translator on a private basis and STILL have access to ALL the other services that MABS provide.
Beverley Thompson BEM
President MABS Cancer Support Fundación
For more local news, events and other information go to the home page of Camposol Today.
Address
The MABS Respite Centre, Avenida de la Covachos 278, Camposol Sector B4, 30875Tel: 620 422 410 – Helpline
Mobile: 620 582 418 - General Enquiries
Mobile: 620 582 418 - General Enquiries
Loading
MABS Cancer Support – Mazarron (Fundación)
620 422 410 – Helpline
615 016 035 - General Enquiry Line
689 052 123 - Zue Burgess (Fundraising Co-ordinator)
966 490 780 - Respite Home and general office number
634 362 954 - John; volunteers co-ordinator
968 425 761 - Totana shop
660 819 533 - Totana shop manager, Sue.
MABS Mazarrón provides care and support for all those touched by the hand of cancer in the south-west of the Murcia region. Volunteers provide a wide range of services to help those who are undergoing treatment for cancer in a multitude of practical ways, helping with both the physical and the mental challenges of dealing with cancer. The group operates from a cancer centre on the Camposol urbanisation, and fundraises from its shop in Totana, as well as receiving donations from businesses and individuals who support MABS with a wide range of fundraising activities.
Cancer Support Foundation (MABS) is a registered charitable foundation and is funded via donations and fundraising activities within the local community in Spain. They are a strictly non- profit making group who rely totally on donations and fundraising events, MABS does not receive any financial assistance from local or regional governments. All funds raised by the Mazarrón group remain in the Mazarrón area and are used to help local people at this very difficult time in their lives.
The Cancer Support Group (MABS) Mazarrón offer:-
Transport to and from hospital/clinic appointments
Translators
Patient escorts to hospital and clinic appointments
Support and befriending to patients and their families
Leaflets on various types of cancer and treatments available
Information on where you can obtain assistance in Spain and the UK.
Information on where you can purchase wigs, prosthesis or medical aids.
The Group also has branches with co-ordinators in Costa Blanca North (Valencia), Costa Blanca South (Gran Alicant and La Marina, Orihuela/Torrevieja and Mutxamel), Murcia Region (Mar Menor San Javier, Murcia North West and Mazarrón).
They always need Volunteers
Do you have some time on your hands? Could you offer friendship and support to someone in need? Could you take a cancer patient to the hospital for treatment or a consultant’s appointment? Could you do some light housework or ironing? Could you walk a patient’s dog? Could you do some shopping or collect a prescription for a patient? Are you fluent in Spanish and able to help with spoken and written translations?
If you said ‘Yes’ to any of these questions then you could become a volunteer for Cancer Support Foundation (Mabs) Mazarrón. There are no special skills necessary to become a volunteer, just a desire to help those less fortunate than ourselves. The group have volunteers from all backgrounds, some whose lives have been touched by cancer others who have not. Initial training is provided and ongoing support is available to all volunteers.
WHATEVER YOUR SKILLS - THEY NEED YOU!
The MABS Information Centre on Camposol
The MABS Respite Home and Hospice opened in April 2018 and is the focal point for MABS activity offering information, counselling and support to those affected by cancer in the Mazarrón area. In addition, the centre offers respite care for carers and provides end of life support in its comfortable environment as well as providing storage facilities for MABS equipment.
The Drop in Centre will be open Monday to Friday, from 10.00 am to 2.00 pm. Visitors are welcome or you can call 620 582 418 to make an appointment.
Situated in Avenida de la Covachos, number 278, Camposol B4, the centre is on the right hand side heading from the commercial centre towards sectors C and D. The Centre is funded by the MABS shop in Totana
MABS shop in Totana :
The shop in Totana provides a great source of income in order for us to continue our work in the Mazarrón area, but we need your donations of furniture , books, clothes, CDs and bric-a-brac, so please bring them along.
The shop is open Monday to Friday from 10.00 am to 2.00 pm
Avenida Juan Carlos I, number 50, Totana.
Telephone: 660 819 533
Contact Spanish News Today: Editorial 966 260 896 /
Office 968 018 268