Our SRC team supported Claire* after an unexpected peritoneal mesothelioma diagnosis. We were able to help her access support to ease her anxiety and financial support.
What happened to Claire?
Claire, 54, was diagnosed with peritoneal mesothelioma in 2024 after she was undergoing investigations for a potential ovarian cyst.
Medical professionals were considering cytoreductive surgery with hyperthermic intraperitoneal chemotherapy.
At the time of her diagnosis, Claire was homeschooling her two youngest children because she didn’t believe state education met their educational needs.
The diagnosis impacted Claire psychologically and emotionally. This led to her legal team referring her to our SRCs (Support and Rehabilitation Coordinators).
How did our SRCs help Claire?
Our SRCs met with Claire in person to assess her needs correctly.
It was evident from their first meeting that Claire was anxious about her diagnosis and treatment. To help with this, our SRCs worked with a peritoneal mesothelioma specialist nurse who offered expert advice and information on treatment and recovery.
To further help reduce her anxiety, we made sure Claire had access to Mesothelioma UK’s online support and services. This also included chat forums where people shared their experiences.
Once Claire’s surgery was completed, we supported her with pain management. Our SRCs helped Claire access GP services to manage pain and post-operative care.
In addition to supporting Claire, our team made sure her family felt supported. Claire was married and had five children. We supported her husband while Claire was in surgery and made sure her children had moral support during this tough period.
With Claire unable to continue homeschooling her two youngest children, we made sure they got the right educational support.
Our SRCs worked with other teams across Irwin Mitchell to help Claire, including our:
- Welfare Benefits team to help her access the right benefits and make sure she would receive Industrial Injuries Disability Benefit as a lump payment
- Wills team to help Claire write a Will and offer legal advice on parental responsibility should she pass away because her husband isn’t her children’s biological father.
Expert opinion
On our work with Claire, Adam Shelverton, Support and Rehabilitation Manager, said: “We holistically support both clients and their families as the impacts of their illness have far reaching impacts. Getting the right support for Claire and her family meant they could focus on the important things.”
Client feedback
On the support she received from our SRC team, Claire said: “Irwin Mitchell have been brilliant in handling my case. I dealt with Natalia Rushworth White and Pip Allen who were patient, kind and understanding. They kept me informed throughout their service.
“I had a lot of support from Lesly Pointer, support and rehabilitation coordinator. Lesly was on the other end of the phone every time I needed her. She supported me and my husband through a very difficult time, and she also spoke up for me when I didn't feel my voice would be heard.
“The service and help that Lesly gave me was invaluable to myself and my family.”
*Name changed to protect identity.
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