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Bath
Cancer Unit Support Group provides funds for refurbishment costs of the
Bath
Cancer
Information and Support Centre
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Location:-
North Corridor to left of the entry door from Orange Car Park
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Opening
Times: Monday to Friday, 10 am to 4 pm
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Contact
details: 01225 824049
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E-mail
cancerinformationcentre@ruh-bath.swest.nhs.uk
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Manager
and Cancer Information Specialist -
Juliet Gilchrist
The Bath Cancer Information and Support Centre was developed as a joint
venture between Macmillan Cancer Relief and the Royal United Hospital NHS
Trust.
The
Bath Cancer Unit Support Group was able to underwrite the costs of
refurbishment - circa £16k - of the space provided by the hospital close
to the William Budd Ward.
Macmillan
Cancer Relief (now Macmillan Cancer Support) decided to explore ways of
developing better access to local cancer information and support services
for people affected by cancer.
They
were already working with many other cancer charities, but they were
concerned at how many people living with or newly diagnosed with cancer
were unaware of the information and support available to them.
The
Royal United Hospital, Bath applied for a grant and as a result, Macmillan
funded a Cancer Information Specialist post for three years to set up this
service with the aims being to:
To
help ensure people affected by cancer get the opportunity to access good
quality, comprehensive and appropriate information at the right time for
them
The
Bath Cancer Unit Support Group funded some building works enabling the
Centre to provide a welcoming and functional environment for visitors. The
Centre opened in November 2006 and visitor numbers have been steadily
increasing.
The
Centre comprises an Information room and corridor, a Quiet Room and a
small kitchen area where people can make drinks. It was furnished in line
with Macmillan’s recommendations from their free interior design
service.
Anyone
affected by cancer is welcome to bring their enquiries here.
It
also provides the opportunity to talk through ones concerns, discuss ones
feelings or even have a private space to sit and have a cup of tea.
Volunteers
provide an essential service within the Centre, primarily meeting and
greeting visitors. Volunteers receive full induction, training (in
conjunction with Macmillan Cancer Support) and ongoing support and review.
The
role played by volunteers is an essential part of this innovative service
helping people who have been affected by cancer.
The centre is
keen to recruit new volunteers.
If you have been
affected by cancer and would like to offer some of your time and
experience to assist people coming to the centre for support and
information please do contact the centre".
Click here to return to top of page
www.macmillan.org.uk
At the Time of
Opening - Summer 2005
Of the Cancer Information Centre
Chris
Krajniewski (pictured centre) was charged with the task of opening the
Centre for Macmillan and has now moved on to the Dorothy
House Hospice - follow link to their web site - which supports
cancer patients and their families in the local area. Also in
the picture is John Carter Chairman of BCUSG and Les
Dymond, Trustee of BCUSG both of whom had parts to play as the project
developed.
The Centre
opened in the summer of 2005 and visitors are now able to talk through issues and concerns with
the centre’s staff and trained volunteers - in a quiet room if
privacy is required. The centre also has booklets and leaflets about
cancer if people are not ready to talk at that moment.
When the Centre
opened, Chris said "When
someone is told they have cancer it is a frightening time, and often the
information they are given just doesn’t sink in. It is important that
there is somewhere they can go to find out more about their cancer and its
treatment, or perhaps for a family member or carer to be able to ask
questions".
Please drop in to the
Centre which is adjacent to The William Budd Ward in RUH North or call
Juliet on 01225 824049 between 8.00am and 4.30pm, from Monday to Friday. |
