Specialist healthcare
Macmillan health, social care and information professionals are leaders in their field, and our cancer care centres are designed according to what people with cancer want and need.
Many cancer patients have to see a wide range of health and social care professionals - both in their community and in hospital. To help make this process as smooth as possible, we help develop teams that provide more integrated care, including everyone from Macmillan nurses, consultants, physiotherapists and radiographers, to dietitians, social workers and speech therapists.
We are specialists
We have now funded a total of 3,942 Macmillan health and social care professionals across the UK. All our professionals are specialists in their area of cancer care and leaders in their field. They use their expert knowledge to help people understand more about cancer, manage their symptoms and side effects, and find practical ways to live with their illness. All our professionals receive education and support so they can stay at the leading edge of their specialism, and share their skills and expertise with colleagues.
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We build cancer environments
The environment where you are being treated for cancer can have a profound effect on your health and wellbeing. Macmillan works with the National Health Service (NHS) and other organisations to create 'cancer environments' such as chemotherapy and radiotherapy suites and palliative care day units. In 2005 we committed to funding 12 cancer environments including three chemotherapy/other clinical units, two palliative care units, a breast cancer unit and six information and support centres. We plan to fund 18 new treatment and care environments in 2006.
They're all built around what people affected by cancer say they want and need, and include the latest equipment and technologies. Light, colour, texture and perspective can all have an effect on wellbeing, which is why the furniture, decor and fittings are specially chosen to create a relaxing and healing environment.
Since 1975, we've planned and funded more than 150 cancer care centres and cancer information centres for the NHS and voluntary sector throughout the UK. In 2006 we will commit to funding 18 new treatment and care environments.
'The consulting rooms are so much bigger and you don't feel rushed in here. You feel at ease. There's a relaxing waiting room with soothing music. They've even thought about the corridors, the paintings are absolutely beautiful. In fact, they've thought of everything!' - Debbie Burrows, Macclesfield
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To download and order resources, booklets and information go to
be.macmillan.org.uk