Barbara Windsor officially opens new Macmillan Cancer Information and Support Centre
 300x230_20356.jpg "Photo: Geoff Crawford")
Barbara Windsor MBE officially opened a new Macmillan Cancer Information and Support Centre that will provide information and emotional support to people with or affected by cancer, at Whittington Health on Thursday 8 January.
The Macmillan Cancer Support funded ‘pod’ is a dedicated cancer information and support centre. It offers a friendly and relaxed environment, providing emotional support, information and practical advice to anyone affected by cancer. This includes families, carers and friends. There is a wide range of free high quality cancer materials and signposting to other national and local support services.
The Macmillan Cancer Support funded ‘pod’ is a dedicated cancer information and support centre. It offers a friendly and relaxed environment, providing emotional support, information and practical advice to anyone affected by cancer. This includes families, carers and friends. There is a wide range of free high quality cancer materials and signposting to other national and local support services.
The centre, which opened in October 2014, has already helped more than 200 people ahead of today’s official launch. It is managed by Macmillan Information and Support Manager Tracey Palmer, and supported by a team of volunteers, who are on hand to answer questions, offer advice and signpost to the help and support that is vital for people affected by cancer. They will also work closely with our oncology (cancer) consultants and chemotherapy unit.
The new Macmillan Cancer Information and Support Centre is based within the entrance of The Whittington Hospital and is open Monday to Friday (excluding Bank Holidays), 10am-4pm. Anyone affected by cancer, including patients, carers, family or friends, are welcome to drop in for a chat or to pick up some information.
Barbara Windsor said: “It is a privilege to be here to officially open the Macmillan Cancer Information and Support Centre.
“Cancer affects 1 in 3 of us and having access to information and support can make a huge difference to those with cancer and their family, carers and friends. People need to be able to talk about cancer and this wonderful new centre is a valuable source of support.”
Service manager Tracey Palmer said: “Our new centre will help to ensure that no one has to face cancer alone. This is an excellent resource for people affected by cancer, as they now have a dedicated space within The Whittington Hospital where they can come and talk to us about their worries, concerns or questions.”
Nikki Cannon, Macmillan Cancer Support senior development manager added: “We are thrilled that the Macmillan Cancer Support and Information Service at The Whittington Hospital is already proving such an invaluable resource for cancer patients and their loved ones. Tracey Palmer, our specialist service manager, and her fantastic team of volunteers ensure the Trust’s patients and carers get their questions answered and worries eased.
“The service offers easy access to Macmillan materials, such as booklets about treatment, as well as offering the opportunity to chat with professionals such as Tracey; giving people the information and support they need throughout their cancer journeys and significantly improving their physical and emotional wellbeing.”
The centre offers the following services:
- Cancer information materials
- Signposting to other local and national support service
- Volunteering opportunities
- Masterclass (Look Good Feel Better) every four months for Whittington Health patients
- HOPE (Help Overcoming Problems Effectively) six week course for Whittington Health patients
- Breast cancer support group
8 January 2015
Last updated26 Jan 2015