Macmillan Quality Environment Mark

The MQEM award recognises and celebrates environments that meet the standards required by people living with cancer. Find out how it works and how to apply.

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What is the MQEM award?

The MQEM award champions cancer environments that go above and beyond to create welcoming and friendly spaces for patients. MQEM is the first award of its kind in the UK and has been designed in collaboration with people living with cancer.

We also collaborated with stakeholders, including the Department of Health, to ensure the MQEM award criteria is evidence-based and recognised by regulatory bodies including the Care Quality Commission (CQC) in England.

Whether you work in a hospital, hospice or Information and Support Centre, we'll help you create a more welcoming space for people living with cancer.

Who can apply for the award?

The award is open to NHS and non-NHS providers including independent private healthcare sector and charities.

To be eligible, any organisation must be able to demonstrate that 80% of the services or the support being given are aimed at people affected by cancer.

The award is externally assessed by an independent quality assurance agency and renewed every three years thereafter.

What does MQEM assess?

MQEM assesses four main areas of a cancer service or environment:

  • Design and use of space

    Including clear wayfinding for visitors, welcoming and ascetically pleasing reception and waiting areas, and access to private consultation rooms.

  • User’s journey

    For example, the cost and availability of parking, how easy it is to get to the facility on public transport, internal facility signposting and flexibility in making appointments.

  • Service experience

    This includes access to cancer-specific information and access to health professionals, choice and range of food available, cleanliness and tidiness of facility.

  • User’s voice

    Tthe level at which users are involved in the development of services, and how important people’s views are taken into account.

The assessment includes an on-site visit by a professional assessor and a volunteer assessor who has been affected by cancer. The visit can last most of the day depending on the size of the facility being assessed. A detailed report is written and shared with the organisation after the assessment with recommendations for improvements.

Successfully assessed organisations are awarded a plaque to display to the public. Organisations that do not meet the assessment criteria are offered expertise and guidance to help them improve before your environment is reassessed.

What is a successful environment?

A successful MQEM environment is:

  • welcoming and accessible to all
  • respectful of people's privacy and dignity
  • supportive of the users' comfort and well-being
  • gives choice and control to people using your service
  • listens to the voice of the user.

Services that reach the MQEM standard are awarded it for three years. We offer ongoing advice and support during this time to make sure the physical environment of the service continues to improve for the people who use it.

How can my service apply?

There is a three-step process for applying for the MQEM standard.

  1. Download and read the MQEM assessment handbook
    We've created an MQEM handbook to help you find out if your service can apply.
  2. Complete the MQEM self-assessment tool
    This will help you to understand how well your service meets the MQEM standard. If a Macmillan Partnership Quality Lead (PQL) has not already given you this tool, you can request a copy by emailing mqem@macmillan.org.uk.
  3. Apply for external assessment
    You can do this if your self-assessment score is 4 or above (pass level). 

Apply for the MQEM award

Award-winning environments

You can find out which environments hold the MQEM award below.

  • View our award-winning environments

    Aberdeen Royal Infirmary (Ward 44)

    Aintree Hospital, Liverpool (Macmillan Cancer Information and Support Centre (Elective Care Centre)

    Aintree Hospital, Liverpool (Macmillan Cancer Information and Support Centre (Main Reception)

    Aintree Hospital, Liverpool (Macmillan Cancer Information and Support Centre (Marina Dalglish Unit)

    Altnagelvin (Macmillan Support Centre)

    Arbroath Infirmary (Macmillan Day Care Unit)

    Aspen Healthcare, Cancer Centre London, Clinical Services

    Aspen Healthcare, Parkside Hospital, Oncology Ward

    Aspen Healthcare, The Holly Private Hospital, Buckhurst Hill, London

    Bamford Suite, Nuffield Health, Derby Hospital (Chemotherapy Day Services)

    Barry Hospital (Macmillan Information and Support Centre)

    Barts Health NHS Trust, London (Radiotherapy Department)

    Beatson West of Scotland Cancer Centre, Glasgow

    Beaumond House Community Hospice, Newark (Resource and Information Centre)

    Bedford Hospital (Macmillan Primrose Unit)

    Belfast City Hospital (Macmillan Support and Information Centre)

    Bishop Auckland Hospital (Macmillan Information & Support Centre)

    Blythe House Hospice, Chapel-en-le-Frith

    BMI Healthcare, Alexandra Hospital, Cheadle (Women's Health)

    BMI Healthcare, Basingstoke, Enbourne Ward (The Hampshire Clinic)

    BMI Healthcare, Bath Clinic (Oncology Suite)

    BMI Healthcare, Bishops Wood Hospital, Northwood, London

    BMI Healthcare, Chelsfield Park Hospital, Orpington

    BMI Healthcare, Fawkham Manor Hospital, Longfield (Monro Suite)

    BMI Healthcare, Goring Hall Hospital, Goring-by-Sea

    BMI Healthcare, Kensington Cancer Centre, The Princess Margaret Hospital, Windsor

    BMI Healthcare, Mount Alvernia Hospital, Guildford (St Martha Oncology Centre)

    BMI Healthcare, Poole Cancer Care Centre (The Harbour Hospital)

    BMI Healthcare, Ross Hall Hospital, Glasgow (Oncology Unit)

    BMI Healthcare, Sarum Road Hospital, Winchester (Mulberry Oncology Suite)

    BMI Healthcare, The Beardwood Hospital, Blackburn (North West Cancer Clinic)

    BMI Healthcare, The Blackheath Hospital, London

    BMI Healthcare, The Chaucer Hospital, Canterbury

    BMI Healthcare, The Chiltern Hospital, Great Missenden (The Misbourne Suite)

    BMI Healthcare, The Clementine Churchill Hospital, Harrow

    BMI Healthcare, The Park Hospital, Nottingham

    BMI Healthcare, The Priory Hospital, Birmingham (Dudley Suite and Highbury Suite)

    BMI Healthcare, Thornbury Hospital, Sheffield

    BMI Healthcare, Three Shires Hospital, Northampton (Oncology Suite)

    Bolton Hospice (Macmillan Cancer Information and Support Service)

    Bolton Macmillan Information & Support Centre

    Borders General Hospital, Melrose (Information Centre)

    Borders General Hospital, Melrose (Macmillan CT & MRI Department)

    Borders General Hospital, Melrose (Margaret Kerr Unit)

    Calderdale Royal Hospital, The Jayne Garforth Macmillan Information Centre

    Campbeltown Hospital (Day Services / Inpatient Services)

    Cancer Centre, Wimbledon, London

    Cancer Drop-in Centre (Riverside Day Centre), Newton Stewart

    Charis Cancer Care, Cookstown, Belfast

    Chelsea and Westminster Hospital, London (The Macmillan Centre)

    Cheltenham General Hospital, Hereford Radiotherapy Satellite, Gloucestershire Oncology Centre

    Chesterfield Royal Hospital (NGS Macmillan Unit)

    Churchill Hospital, Oxford (Blenheim Head and Neck Unit)

    Cicely Saunders Institute, Kings College Hospital, London (Macmillan Information & Support Centre)

    City Hospitals Sunderland NHS Foundation Trust, Sunderland (Macmillan Support Centre)

    Clatterbridge Cancer Centre, Bebington (Macmillan Information and Support Centre)

    Community Service Station, Southport (Macmillan Information and Support Centre)

    Countess of Chester Hospital (Haematology & Oncology Day Unit)

    Countess of Chester Hospital (Macmillan Support and Information Centre)

    Countess of Chester Hospital (Ward 43, Meadows Ward)

    County Durham and Darlington Foundation Trust, Peterlee (Macmillan Information and Support Centre)

    County Hospital, Hereford (Macmillan Renton Unit)

    Craigavon Area Hospital, Portadown (Day Services, Macmillan Building)

    Craigavon Area Hospital, Portadown, NI (Macmillan Information)

    Crawley Hospital, West Sussex (The Olive Tree Cancer Support Centre)

    Croydon University Hospital (Macmillan Cancer Information and Support Centre)

    Darent Valley Hospital, Dartford (Pine Therapy Unit)

    Dimbleby Macmillan Support Centre, Guy's Cancer at Queen Mary's Hospital, Sidcup

    Dumfries Royal Infirmary (Macmillan Centre)

    East and North Herts NHS Trust, Northwood (Lynda Jackson Macmillan Centre)

    East Cheshire NHS Trust, Macclesfield (Macmillan Cancer Resource Centre)

    East Surrey Hospital (Macmillan Cancer Support Centre) Redhill

    Elgin (The Oaks Palliative Care Day Centre)

    Epsom Hospital (Macmillan Butterfly Centre)

    Forth Valley Royal Hospital, Larbert (Oncology Department)

    Friarage hospital, Northallerton (Macmillan Information and Support Centre)

    Galloway Community Hospital, Stranraer (Cancer Drop-in Centre)

    GenesisCare, Cambridge

    GenesisCare, Chelmsford

    GenesisCare, Elstree

    GenesisCare, Guildford

    GenesisCare, Havant

    GenesisCare, Little Aston Cancer Centre, Sutton Coldfield

    GenesisCare, Maidstone

    GenesisCare, Milton Keynes

    GenesisCare, Nottingham

    GenesisCare, Oxford

    GenesisCare, Windsor

    George Eliot Hospital, Nuneaton (Macmillan Information and Support Centre)

    Giles House at Bolton Hospice (Macmillan Cancer Information and Support Services)

    Haematology and Oncology Day Unit, Peterborough

    Harrogate and District NHS Trust, Harrogate (The Sir Robert Ogden Macmillan Centre)

    HCA Healthcare UK, Inpatient Service, Guy’s Cancer Centre, Manchester

    HCA Healthcare UK, Oncology Unit and Oncology Ward, Guy’s Cancer Centre, London Bridge Hospital

    HCA Healthcare UK, Outpatient and Day Service, Guy’s Cancer Centre, Manchester

    Hereford County Hospital, Radiotherapy Unit

    Hereford, Yeleni Therapy and Support

    Heatherwood and Wexham Park NHS Trust, Slough (Macmillan Information and Support Centre)

    Hinchingbrooke NHS Trust, Huntingdon (Woodlands Centre)

    HMP Frankland, Durham (Nova Suite)

    HMP Holme House, Stockton on Tees (Pallium Suite)

    HMP Wakefield (Hospital Wing)

    Hull & East Yorkshire Hospital NHS Trust, Cottingham (The Queen’s Centre for Oncology & Haematology)

    Ipswich, The Woolverstone Macmillan Centre

    Ipswich Hospital (Radiotherapy Department)

    Kingston Hospital, Surrey (Sir William Rous Unit)

    Launton, The Hummingbird Cancer Support & Therapy Centre

    Lawson Memorial Hospital, NHS Highland, Golspie, (Cambusavie Unit)

    Leeds Cancer Centre, St James’s University Hospital (Chemotherapy Day Services)

    Leeds Teaching Hospital NHS Foundation Trust (Robert Ogden Macmillan Centre)

    Leicester Royal Infirmary (Macmillan Information and Support Centre)

    Leighton Hospital, Crewe (Macmillan Cancer Resource Centre)

    Lister Hospital, Stevenage (Macmillan Cancer Centre)

    Llandough University Hospital (Macmillan Information and Support Centre)

    London Bridge Hospital (Oncology Services)

    London Charing Cross Hospital (Macmillan Information and Support Centre)

    London, Princess Grace Hospital (Oncology Ward Inpatient Services)

    Lorn and Islands Hospital, Oban (Macmillan Day Bed Unit)

    Luton and Dunstable Hospital, Luton (Macmillan Cancer Unit)

    Macmillan Cancer Information and Support Centre, Dumfries and Galloway Royal Infirmary

    Macmillan Information and NHS Bereavement Service, NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde, Glasgow Royal Infirmary

    Maidstone Hospital (Kent Oncology Centre)

    Medway Maritime Hospital, Gillingham (Macmillan Cancer Care Unit)

    Merthyr Tydfil (Cancer Aid)

    Mid Argyll Community Hospital, Lochgilphead (Macmillan Day Suite & The Dunadd Room)

    Migdale Hospital, NHS Highland, Bonar Bridge, (Kylesku Ward)

    Mount Vernon Hopital, Northwood, London (Ward 10)

    Mountain Ash Hospital, Cynon Taf (Rowan Tree Cancer Centre)

    Musgrove Park Hospital, Taunton (The Beacon Centre)

    Newport, Rutherford Cancer Centre

    Northampton General Hospital NHS Trust (Macmillan Cancer Information and Support Centre

    NHS Fife, Dunfermline (Haematology and Oncology Unit)

    NHS Grampian, Aberdeen (Roxburghe House)

    NHS Lothian, Livingston (Carmondean Connected)

    NHS Orkney (Macmillan House)

    Noble's Hospital, Isle of Man (Cancer Improvement Services - Chemotherapy Suite)

    Noble's Hospital, Isle of Man (Macmillan Information Centre)

    Norfolk & Norwich University Hospital (The Big C, Cancer Support & Information Centre)

    North Highland Cancer Information & Support Centre, Thurso

    North Manchester General Hospital, Crumpsall (Macmillan Information & Support Centre)

    Northampton General Hospital (Haematology Outpatients)

    Northern Centre for Cancer Care, Freeman Hospital, Newcastle upon Tyne (Macmillan Cancer Support and Information Centre)

    Northern Health and Social Care Trust, Antrim (Macmillan Unit)

    Northern Lincolnshire and Goole NHS Foundation Trust, Scunthorpe (Macmillan Information Centre)

    Northwick Park Hospital, Harrow, London (Macmillan Cancer Information and Support Centre)

    Nottingham University Hospital (Macmillan Information and Support Centre)

    Nuffield Health, Brighton (The Kestral Suite)

    Nuffield Health, Cambridge (Oncology & Haematology Unit)

    Nuffield Health, Glasgow Hospital

    Nuffield Health, Guildford Hospital

    Nuffield Health, North Staffordshire Hospital

    Nuffield Health, Tunbridge Wells

    Perth Royal Infirmary (Cornhill Macmillan Centre)

    Peterborough City Hospital (Haematology/Oncology Ward)

    Plymouth Hospitals NHS Trust, Derriford (The Mustard Tree Macmillan Support Centre)

    Portsmouth Hospitals NHS Trust, Portsmouth (Haematology and Oncology Day Unit)

    Prince Charles Hospital, Merthyr Tydfil (Macmillan Cancer Unit)

    Queen Alexandra Hospital, Portsmouth (Macmillan Information and Support Centre)

    Queen Alexandra Hospital, Portsmouth (The Combined Haematology and Oncology Centre)

    Queen Elizabeth Hospital, Kings Lynn (Macmillan Information and Support Centre)

    Queen Elizabeth Hospital, King’s Lynn, Shouldham Ward

    Queen’s Medical Centre, Nottingham (Macmillan Information and Support Centre)

    Queen Victoria Hospital NHS Foundation Trust, East Grinstead (Macmillan Information and Support Centre)

    Raigmore Hospital, Inverness (Macmillan Suite)

    Ramsay Rivers Hospital, Rivers Chemotherapy Unit

    Ramsay Health Care UK, Springfield Cancer Centre

    Rigby Unit, Stratford-upon-Avon Hospital

    Robert Horrell Wellbeing Centre, Peterborough

    Royal Albert Edward Infirmary, Wigan (Macmillan Information & Support Service)

    Royal Bolton Hospital (Macmillan Cancer Information & Support Centre)

    Royal Cornwall Hospital, The Cove (Macmillan Support Centre)

    Royal Derby Hospital (Macmillan Information and Support Centre)

    Royal Derby Hospital, The Nightingale Macmillan Unit

    Royal Free NHS Trust, Hampstead, London (Macmillan Cancer Information and Support Centre)

    Royal Oldham Hospital (Haematology Unit - Ward 11)

    Royal Shrewsbury Hospital (Hamar Help and Support Centre)

    Royal United Hospital, Bath (Cancer Information & Support)

    Royal Victoria Hospital, Dundee (Roxburghe House)

    Salford Royal Hospital (Macmillan Information and Support Centre)

    Salford Royal NHS Foundation Trust, Salford, Manchester (Department of Urology)

    South Shields (Cancer Connections)

    South Tees Hospital NHS Foundation Trust, Middlesbrough (The Trinity Holistic Centre)

    Southampton General Hospital (Cancer Information and Support Centre)

    Southend University Hospital (Macmillan Information and Support Centre)

    Southmead Hospital, Bristol (NGS Macmillan Wellbeing Centre)

    Spire Healthcare, Dunedin Hospital, Reading

    Spire Healthcare, Elstree Cancer Centre, Elstree, Hertfordshire

    Spire Healthcare, Harpenden Hospital (Roundwood Ward)

    Spire Healthcare, Hartswood Hospital, Brentwood (Oncology and Breast Service)

    Spire Healthcare, Hospital, Portsmouth (Oncology Service)

    Spire Healthcare, Hull and East Riding Hospital, Anlaby

    Spire Healthcare, Leeds (Oncology Unit)

    Spire Healthcare, Leicester Hospital

    Spire Healthcare, Little Aston Hospital, Sutton Coldfield (Lakeside Suite)

    Spire Healthcare, Montefiore Hospital, St Ann’s Well Unit, Brighton

    Spire Healthcare, Murrayfield Hospital, Edinburgh (Oncology Day Chemotherapy Centre)

    Spire Healthcare, Norwich Hospital

    Spire Healthcare, Parkway Hospital, Solihull (Oncology Day Unit)

    Spire Healthcare, Roding Hospital, Redbridge (Oncology and Breast Service)

    Spire Healthcare, Southampton Hospital (Cancer Care)

    Spire Healthcare, Wellesley Hospital, Southend-on-Sea, Essex

    Spire Healthcare, Worcester South Bank Hospital (Oncology and Haematology Suite)

    Spire Specialist Care Centre, Bristol

    Spire Specialist Care Centre, Chelmsford

    St George’s Healthcare NHS Trust, Tooting, London (Macmillan Information & Support Centre)

    St Helen’s Hospital (The Lilac Centre)

    St James Hospital, Leeds (Institute of Oncology)

    St Johns Hospital, Livingston (Macmillan Centre)

    Stockport (Beechwood Cancer Care Centre)

    Stoke Mandeville Hospital, Aylesbury (Cancer Care and Haematology Unit)

    Strathclyde Hospital, Motherwell (Dalziel Day Hospice Unit) - unit closed in 2014

    Tameside Macmillan Unit, Ashton under Lyne

    The Bracken Trust, Llandrindod Wells (Cancer Support Centre)

    The Christie, Oldham (The Christie NHS Foundations Trust)

    The Christie Private Care, Manchester

    The Clatterbridge Cancer Centre, Bebington (The Papillon Suite)

    The Duchess of Devonshire Wing, The London Clinic, London

    The Harley Street Clinic Cancer Centre, London (35 Harley Street)

    The Harley Street Clinic Cancer Centre, London (81 Harley Street)

    The Hillingdon Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, Hillingdon (Macmillan Information and Support Centre)

    The James Cook University Hospital, Middlesbrough (Chemotherapy Day Unit)

    The James Cook University Hospital, Middlesbrough (Endeavour Unit)

    The James Cook University Hospital, Middlesbrough (Haematology Day Unit)

    The James Cook University Hospital, Middlesbrough (Inpatient Services)

    The James Cook University Hospital, Middlesbrough (Macmillan Information and Support Centre)

    The Macmillan Horizon Centre Brighton

    The Oasis, Jersey (Macmillan Cancer Support Centre)

    The Royal Buckinghamshire Hospital, Aylesbury (Ward 5 Cancer Care and Haematology)

    The Royal Victoria Hospital, Belfast (Macmillan Information Service)

    The Sir Robert Ogden Macmillan Centre, Friarage Hospital, Northallerton

    Town and County Hospital, Wick (Newton Wing)

    Trafford General Hospital, Manchester (Macmillan Wellbeing Centre)

    UCLH NHS Foundation Trust, London (UCLH Macmillan Cancer Centre)

    Ulster Hospital, NI (Breast and Endocrine Centre)

    United Lincolnshire Hospitals NHS Trust, Boston (Macmillan Cancer Information and Support Centre)

    United Lincolnshire Hospitals NHS Trust, Grantham (Macmillan Cancer Information and Support Centre)

    United Lincolnshire Hospitals NHS Trust, Lincoln (Macmillan Cancer Information and Support Centre)

    University Hospital of Wales, Cardiff (Macmillan Information and Support Centre)

    University Hospital of North Durham (Macmillan Information & Support Centre)

    University Hospitals of North Midlands, Stafford (Macmillan Information and Support Centre)

    Victoria Hospital, Fife (Haematology/Oncology Day Unit)

    Warrington and Halton NHS Foundation Trust, Runcorn (Macmillan Delamere Centre)

    Warwick Hospital (The Aylesford Unit)

    West Middlesex University Hospital, Isleworth (The Mulberry Centre)

    West Suffolk Hospital, Bury St Edmunds (Macmillan Unit)

    Weston General Hospital, Weston-Super-Mare (Macmillan Support Centre)

    Western General Hospital, Edinburgh (Day Services)

    Western General Hospital, Edinburgh (Macmillan Cancer Information and Support Centre)

    Western Sussex Hospitals, Chichester (Fernhurst Centre and Macmillan Information & Support Centre

    Withybush General Hospital, Haverfordwest (Breast Unit, Day Service)

    Wythenshawe Hospital (Macmillan Cancer Information and Support Centre)

    York Teaching Hospitals, NHS Foundation Trust Centre (Cancer Care Centre).

How to get help with your application

If you have any questions about MQEM, or would like help with your application, please contact us by email at mqem@macmillan.org.uk.

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