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It has been revealed that almost 5,000 people have used the Macmillan Support and Information Centre at Belfast City Hospital since it opened in December 2006.
Consultant Clinical Psychologist, Professor Robin Davidson, Centre Director, Nadine Scullion, Heather Monteverde, General Manger of Macmillan in Northern Ireland and cancer patient Angela Scullion, take part in a tree-planting ceremony
Belfast City Hospital, Action Cancer, the Friends of the Cancer Centre, Macmillan Cancer Support and Ulster Cancer Foundation have all collaborated to fund services within the centre, which is the first of its kind in Northern Ireland.
Patients, carers and families from all over Northern Ireland can access support through a variety of services free of charge including:
Booklets, leaflets and other sources of information about cancer are also available in the centre.
The work to renovate and design the interior of the listed terrace that houses the Support and Information Centre was funded by charity Macmillan Cancer Support to the tune of £1.3million.
Heather Monteverde, General manager of Macmillan in Northern Ireland said:
"We are delighted that the centre been so well utilised by people affected by cancer over the past nine months. It is a real testament to what can be achieved when organisations come together to create services that people tell us they need.
"The centre would not be a reality today if all of the partners hadn’t joined forces to make this positive impact on the lives of people affected by cancer."
Consultant Clinical Psychologist, Professor Robin Davidson, who is the Centre Director, emphasized the need for good psychological care as well as physical care for cancer patients throughout Northern Ireland. He said;
"We know that accessible support and information can improve not only the quality of life of our patients, but can also contribute to their physical recovery.
This new unit is part of a comprehensive approach to cancer care in the Belfast City Hospital".
Since the centre opened its doors nine months ago over 4,900 people have used its services – including almost 1,000 people who asked for information, 718 people who attended for wig-fitting, over 160 people who made use of the counselling services and over 250 who came for complementary therapies. The number of people attending classes including yoga, meditation or Tai chi is now also in the hundreds.
Two of the visitors, Angela and Jim Scullion from Lurgan, have been attending the centre since Angela was diagnosed with breast cancer in January this year. They visited the centre again on Tuesday September 18 to take part in a tree planting ceremony.
Angela, who has just finished her treatment said:
"Since we have started coming here, the centre has been a real source of comfort for both of us. We really don’t know what we would have done if it hadn’t been here to help us.
"I have been able to get detailed information on my condition and it has been great to have people to talk to about any concerns. I have also had aromatherapy and my husband and I have both enjoyed hypno-relaxation, a four week course which teaches easy, effective techniques."
The Macmillan Support & Information centre is open Monday to Friday. Drop in services are available from 9am to 4pm and services by appointment can be made from 9am to 5pm.
Drop in Services available (9am – 4pm)
Services available by appointment (9am – 5pm)
For appointments please telephone the Macmillan Support and Information Centre on 028 9069 9201.
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