3 March 2020

Artist’s impressions of the new Macmillan Cancer Support Service, which is being created within the Hamar Centre at the Royal Shrewsbury Hospital (RSH), have been revealed this week.

SaTH and Macmillan Cancer Support are working in partnership with other local charities to extend and improve existing services within the Hamar Centre, including the development of a new and improved Macmillan Cancer Support Service.

The additional space and improved services within the Hamar Centre will provide more support and counselling services for people affected by cancer and other life threatening and life limiting conditions in Shropshire, Telford & Wrekin and Mid Wales.

Louise Clayton, Macmillan Cancer Support Centre Manager, said: “It can be difficult to find a separate private area for patients who may need support and information. Repositioning and expanding the current Macmillan Cancer Support Service will provide purpose-built facilities to help cancer patients access the services they need. The new service, along with the expansion of the Hamar Centre, will provide superb facilities to enable us to give patients the kind of support we have been unable to offer in the past.”

Kate Thomas, Macmillan Fundraising Manager for Shropshire, said: “Macmillan is investing over £380,000 to build the new Macmillan Cancer Support Service. This new facility is part of £1 million of investment that Macmillan has provided to support people living with cancer in Shropshire since 2017.

“We could not have put the money forward for this build without the efforts of all the supporters, committees, groups and businesses across Shropshire who have helped us raise vital funds across the region. I want to take this opportunity to thank them for their support, and encourage others to get involved, so we can do even more for people affected by cancer in our area.”

Julia Clarke, Director of Corporate Services at SaTH, said: “I’m delighted that the expansion of the Hamar Centre will provide improved counselling and wellbeing services, and help to make a real difference for people with cancer and other life-threatening conditions. The Hamar Centre will remain open during these building works.”

The Lingen Davies Cancer Fund, The League of Friends of the Royal Shrewsbury Hospital and the Shrewsbury and Telford Hospital NHS Trust Charity have also put forward a total of £120,000 towards the cost of the redevelopment of the Hamar Centre.

The new facility has been designed with input from patients, carers and staff and will offer high quality cancer information, emotional support and practical advice to patients, relatives and carers at any stage of the cancer journey and beyond. It is also open to all health and social care professionals requiring cancer information and support.

With building work already under way, with the new service is scheduled to open in summer 2020.