New hope for cancer patients as specialist centre celebrates its first birthday in Milton Keynes

MK's new cancer centre will be enhancing it support services for patients over the next year.
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The centre opened a year ago, shortly before the first lockdown, and managed to carry out its cancer services throughout the Covid pandemic.

MKUH’s Head of Cancer Services, Sally Burnie, said: “The past year has been an extremely challenging one due to the pandemic.

"The opening of the Cancer Centre arrived just in time because it provides patients with adequate space to socially distance appropriately when they visit the centre to receive chemotherapy or other treatments.

The Cancer Centre is a year oldThe Cancer Centre is a year old
The Cancer Centre is a year old

"Through deploying appropriate infection prevention and control measures and having adequate space, we have been able to maintain cancer services through this difficult time, supporting our patient experience and enhancing service."

The £15m centre has already resulted in significant improvements to cancer treatment and supports in MK and the surrounding areas.

It has brought together under one roof all of the cancer services which were previously provided across three locations on the hospital site. A chemotherapy suite, 24-bed inpatient ward, 11 clinic rooms and holistic support and group therapy wellbeing rooms all combine to offer oncology, clinical haematology and cancer-related chemotherapy services, with inpatient and outpatient services alongside a wellbeing support service.

The aim over the next 12 months is to enhance the support and wellbeing services for its patients and to re-establish group programmes and walk-in services, which have been managed virtually since the pandemic.

The focus will be on holistic care and enhancing patient experience, said Sally, who has thanked patients for their support and understanding, and staff for their hard work and efforts during the difficult times of the Covid crisis.

Professor Joe Harrison MKUH Chief Executive, said: “The Cancer Centre has transformed the way we provide treatment and care to patients here in Milton Keynes.

"The past year has been extremely challenging for all of us, including cancer patients and their loved ones, and this new centre has helped staff to deliver an excellent service in the most trying of circumstances. I pay tribute to our staff for their incredible contributions in this regard.”

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