New Friarage cancer centre nears completion

From left, lead cancer nurse Nicky Hand with staff from the Mowbray Suite, the Holistic Centre and Macmillan volunteers outside the new centre.

Work on a major new cancer centre in Northallerton is nearing completion.

Construction of The Sir Robert Ogden Macmillan Centre at the Friarage Hospital is entering the final stages with the first patients expected to begin using the centre next month.

Macmillan Cancer Support is working with South Tees Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust to build the cancer centre. Yorkshire philanthropist Sir Robert Ogden has jointly funded the project with Macmillan and given a wealth of design expertise, to help turn a vision into a reality.

The Sir Robert Ogden Macmillan Centre will offer state-of-the-art cancer care and support facilities, all under one roof. South Tees Hospitals has invested in the scheme and provided clinical input to the project. The whole project is costing around £10 million in total.

The finished centre will include a chemotherapy treatment lounge with capacity to treat up to 35 patients a day, two treatment rooms, consulting rooms which will include telemedicine facilities and complementary therapy.

A Macmillan Cancer Information and Support Centre and supporting accommodation for patients, will also be key features of the development. Building work began in the Autumn of 2017 and has seen more than 4,000 bricks used and 400m2 of glazed curtain walling installed.

An official launch of the centre is due to take place in December.

Paul McCavana, Macmillan head of services for the North, said: “Macmillan Cancer Support is delighted to have worked with Sir Robert Ogden and South Tees Hospitals on such a fantastic project to provide a state-of-the art environment for cancer patients, their families and staff. It’s great to be entering the final phase of the build and we’re looking forward to the centre opening.”

Dr Angela Wood, strategic lead for cancer at South Tees Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, said: “We are very excited to be able to provide such wonderful new facilities at the Friarage. This allows us to expand the cancer services we can offer locally and we are very grateful to Macmillan Cancer Support and Sir Robert Ogden for making this possible.”

A fundraising appeal by Macmillan has also been running alongside the work.

Clara White, Macmillan area fundraising manager, said: “The Northallerton community has really got behind our appeal, which looks set to raise £500,000 by the end of the year. You can contact us today to see how you can get involved and help us reach that target.”

Money raised by Macmillan’s appeal is going towards the charity’s contribution to the project.

To get involved with the appeal, call Macmillan Support Care Hub on 0300 1000 200 or email fundraising@macmillan.org.uk

You can find out more about the appeal at www.macmillan.org.uk/northallertonbuild

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