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At the heart of the centre is the Macmillan Support and Information Service.
The University College Hospital Macmillan Cancer Centre opens its doors to patients for the first time this week.
The £100 million development is the culmination of a groundbreaking partnership between UCLH and Macmillan.
Patients have been involved in the design of the centre and its services every step of the way, from the light and airy entrance hall and uplifting colour scheme to the development of a web-hosted ‘patient portal’ which gives them more control over their care.
Ciarán Devane, chief executive of Macmillan, said: ‘Ten years ago we had a vision to fundamentally change the way cancer care is delivered by ensuring patients are always at the centre. It’s incredible to see this finally realised in this centre which will provide world-leading, sustainable cancer care by radically redesigning the way cancer patients are treated.’
At the heart of the centre is the Macmillan Support and Information Service. An experienced team of staff and trained volunteers offer individual support, information and practical advice to patients, family members, friends and carers.
The Macmillan team will support 100 patients a day with a range of issues, from financial problems to help getting back to work. Complementary therapies, such as massage and aromatherapy are available to patients and carers as well as support for the physical and emotional effects of cancer at every stage.
The centre also has an out-patient clinic area, day care and chemotherapy services, day surgery and on site diagnostic services to diagnose and treat cancers and haematological disorders.
A dedicated young persons’ service provides outpatient care, treatment and consultation for young people with cancer aged from 13 to 24.
Dr Kirit Ardeshna, UCLH clinical lead for the new cancer centre and a consultant haematologist, said: ‘Our new centre will truly focus on every detail of the patient journey. With earlier diagnosis and advances in drug treatments, many patients with cancers are now cured. For other patients cancer is more like a chronic disease characterised by long periods when the disease is stable, punctuated with periods of intense activity.
‘For these patients it is very much about living with cancer and living to your full potential – not letting cancer treatments interfere too much with your quality of life. Our new cancer centre will reflect this shift and hopefully make the patients’ journey as pleasant as possible.’
Cancer is the toughest fight most of us will ever face. But you don't have to go through it alone. The Macmillan team is here to support you every step of the way. Find out more about the services available at the UCH Macmillan Cancer Centre|, or the services and ways in which we could help you| in your local area.