WESTON MACMILLAN CENTRE EARNS TOP MARKS FOR QUALITY

The MQEM award, given by Macmillan Cancer Support, is the first in the UK that specifically assesses how well buildings such as chemotherapy units and information centres provide support and care to people affected by cancer, and also recognises high standards in building design. Impressively the centre has achieved the highest possible overall score of 5 in all key areas (design and use of space, user’s journey, the service experience and the users voice), rating the facility as ‘Excellent’.

WAHT’s Macmillan Cancer Support Centre Manager, Emma Pugh, said: “To have achieved such a high score in our first year is fantastic. We are so proud of the wonderful new facilities we have at the centre to help support people affected by cancer and know they make a difference to those who use them. The team work so hard to make each and every person who comes through our door feel welcome and supported when they need it most. We appreciate the support Macmillan has given us in making the vision for this new centre a reality.”

The Macmillan Cancer Support Centre at Weston General Hospital helps local people living with cancer, and their families, with free, confidential support and advice. Visitors to the centre can browse a wide variety of information booklets, get one-to-one specialist Macmillan benefits advice and practical help with issues like nutrition and coping with symptoms and side effects of their treatment. There are regular activities designed to support wellbeing including health and wellbeing events, HOPE courses (to help people with any emotional or physical concerns after cancer) and Eat Well Move More sessions. The centre is run by a dedicated team of experienced six staff members and one volunteer.

The new, purpose-built centre officially opened in February 2018 and was funded by a £173,000 investment from Macmillan Cancer Support and £10,000 from WAHT’s Oncology Haematology Day Unit Charitable Fund. Since opening it has supported just under 2,000 people and their families helping them find their best way through cancer.

Sue Littler, Partnership Quality Lead at Macmillan Cancer Support, added “I’d like to congratulate the whole team who work so hard to make the Macmillan Cancer Support Centre in Weston such a special place to be for local people and their families. To have achieved a perfect score is testimony to the commitment and passion of all involved. It is great achievement and very well deserved.”

To achieve the MQEM award, centres have to score highly in areas such as use of space, comfort and atmosphere, personal and social interaction and health and wellbeing. Consideration is given to such things as the greeting people receive when they come to a centre, the use of natural light and outdoor space, and the availability of quiet, private rooms – all areas that were highlighted as really important by people living with cancer who helped develop the award.

WAHT Chairman, Grahame Paine, said: “Providing the best possible support we can for our patients and their families is important to every member of our team, yet receiving such an award from Macmillan Cancer Support acknowledges the special effort that Emma and her team have made to be the best that there is. I am very proud to receive such recognition within our Trust.”

The Macmillan Cancer Support Centre is located on the first floor of Weston General Hospital (opposite Sandford Ward) and is open Monday to Friday 9.00am – 4.00pm (except bank holidays). Simply drop-in to have a chat with one of the team – no appointment necessary.

If you have questions about cancer, or to find out how you can support Macmillan, visit www.macmillan.org.uk or call 0808 808 0000.

ENDS

Photograph 1: Outside WAHT’s Macmillan Cancer Support Centre. (L-R) Sue Littler, Elaine Turner, Lesley Moore, Gillian Robinson, Lesley Bowskill,

Photograph 2: MQEM plaque being presented to the team in the Macmillan Cancer Support Centre. (L-R) Lesley Bowskill, Rebecca Rafiyah-Findlay, Elaine Turner, Lesley Moore, Sue Littler, Gillian Robinson, Emma Pugh and Grahame Paine.

For further information contact:

wnt-tr.pressoffice@nhs.net or call 01934 647 182.

Notes to editors

• To find out more about Weston Area Health NHS Trust please visit www.waht.nhs.uk/
• To find out more about donating to the charitable funds, please visit www.waht.nhs.uk/en-GB/Fundraising/Charitable-Funds/

About Macmillan Cancer Support

• We’re here to help everyone with cancer live life as fully as they can, providing physical, financial and emotional support. So whatever cancer throws your way, we’re right there with you.

• For information, support or just someone to talk to, call 0808 808 00 00 or visit macmillan.org.uk.