What happens when I refer a patient?

volunteer on phone in resource centre

You start the process

Speak with your patient
Explain peer support and how it might help them.
Confirm their consent
We cannot call women unless they have agreed to us making contact.
Make the referral
Complete and submit our referral form.

We receive your referral
Counterpart Resource Centre staff receive and acknowledge your referral.
Assign a volunteer
Staff will arrange for a volunteer to call the woman during our Resource Centre hours. Note that we do not, generally, match women with volunteers who have exactly the same diagnosis or experiences. However, all our volunteers have had their own experience of a cancer diagnosis, so will understand many of the feelings and challenges your patient is facing.
Call your patient
Our Peer Support Volunteer will call the woman and provide emotional and practical support. They might also let women know about events or services that could be helpful for them. Peer Support Volunteers are supported by Counterpart staff while providing peer support. Volunteers will not provide medical, legal or financial advice.
Follow up
Together, they may arrange for a follow-up call or the woman may prefer to call us if she would like support in the future.
Let you know the outcome
If you have ticked the 'Outcome of contact required' box on the referral form, we will contact you to let you know our volunteer has spoken to the woman and provide feedback.