New information and support centre for St George’s cancer patients
Helpful team: (l-r) Julia Charsley, Macmillan cancer information officer, Beverley van der Molen, Macmillan Information manager and June Allen, Macmillan lead cancer nurse.
A new Macmillan information and support centre for patients, carers and families affected by cancer open its doors at St George’s Hospital, Tooting, yesterday.
The centre, located on the ground floor of Grosvenor Wing, will provide vital free information and support for anyone affected by cancer, whether they are worried they may have the disease, during treatment or whilst adjusting to life afterwards. The relaxed and informal space will include a main area offering information booklets and leaflets and a quiet room.
There will be a large screen with a keyboard so patients will be able to access helpful websites, as well two specialist staff, a Macmillan cancer information manager and a Macmillan cancer information officer, on hand to answer any questions. Patients or carers can drop in, without the need to make an appointment.
The centre is being funded with money awarded from Macmillan, after St George’s Macmillan lead cancer nurse, June Allen, and Beverley van der Molen, Macmillan Information manager made a ‘case of need’ bid to the charity.
June said: “I’m thrilled that Macmillan has supported the development of this new centre. We know from feedback that our cancer patients have been asking for a dedicated cancer information centre at St George’s hospital.
“When you’re living with cancer, having the right kind of information and someone to talk to when you need it is essential, as it helps you make informed choices about your treatment and care and takes away some of the uncertainty and fear. By having the Macmillan cancer information centre it offers greater flexibility to our patients and their family at a time when they are feeling most anxious.”
The centre will be open Monday to Friday, and the hours will vary to complement the clinic times.
Notes to editors
For more information, please contact the communications team at St George’s Healthcare NHS Trust on 020 8725 5151 or email communications@stgeorges.nhs.uk. Outside working hours, please page the team by calling 0844 822 2888, leaving a short message and contact details for pager SG548.
The centre, and the staff, were fully funded by Macmillan Cancer Support. For more information please contact Ali Birtwell/Keith Ewing, Communications Manager, Macmillan Cancer Support (London, Anglia & South East region) on 020 8222 9009 or abirtwell@macmillan.org.uk or kewing@macmillan.org.uk.
