North Mid cancer centre reopens

The Macmillan Information and Support Centre at North Middlesex University Hospital has reopened, offering in-person support for people affected by cancer.

The support centre was relaunched after having to close during the pandemic. It offers a wide range of information relating to all cancers, their treatments and effects. Patients can also be signposted to local support groups.

Nine out of ten people living with cancer express a need for information about their cancer, their treatment, and how to manage symptoms as well as the wider impact on their daily life and wellbeing. In 2019, the service had more than 3,500 contacts, supporting 1,800 people living with cancer and their carers.

Kaz Foncette from Tottenham sought support from the centre when she was diagnosed with breast cancer age 31 in 2019. She said: “I found it so helpful, the support manager was amazing and she would always go out of her way to find me the information I needed.

“My world often felt like it was falling apart but she would sometimes visit me at the chemo unit, gave advice and directed me where I needed to go − which is what you want because you can’t soak it all in at the start. She also helped me access a Macmillan grant as I couldn’t work and was on statutory sick pay, so this was vital in giving me some independence. I was really fortunate to have someone who was like a friend. I genuinely love Macmillan.”

Macmillan and North Mid have a partnership going back more than 20 years. Macmillan has invested more than £2million in North Middlesex Hospital NHS Trust to date, and together the organisations have developed many services and posts to better support people affected by cancer.

Dr Nnenna Osuji, chief executive of North Mid, said: “It’s vital that patients who are living with cancer know the support available to them, so we are really pleased to reopen the Macmillan Support Pod in the heart of our atrium.

“Our local communities look to North Mid to provide them with excellent care and we know that we can make that experience better when we work in partnership with other expert organisations like Macmillan.”

The Macmillan Information and Support Centre is located on the ground floor of the atrium on the main building in North Middlesex University Hospital. Opening hours are Monday to Friday, 10–4pm, except Bank Holidays. Call 0208 887 3992 or email [email protected].

For support, contact the specially trained nurses and experts on the Macmillan Support Line, 0808 808 00 00 (8am–8pm, 7 days/week) or visit: macmillan.org.uk