New Cancer Health & Wellbeing Centre to open at QEH
It's due to open in April
A new Cancer Health and Wellbeing Centre where patients and their families will receive support in a state-of-the-art facility will soon open at the Queen Elizabeth Hospital King’s Lynn (QEH).
Building work is underway on QEH’s new Cancer Health and Wellbeing Centre which will provide a welcoming space for patients to receive support and information following a cancer diagnosis, in a non-clinical environment.
The work has been part-funded by QEH’s Charitable Fund and will enable the Trust to expand and enhance its cancer support services. The Macmillan Information and Support Service provides these services for the Trust with a specific focus on supporting the long-term emotional impact of cancer.
The services include general health and wellbeing advice, financial support and access to patient support groups, courses and events, such as the Macmillan Help to Overcome Problems Effectively (HOPE) course, within a safe and confidential environment. Patients will be encouraged to drop-in for a cup of tea and a chat, giving them the opportunity to speak openly about their cancer experience with others. In addition, the Trust is planning to expand current services to include counselling and alternative therapies such as reflexology.
Currently, many of these vital programmes take place in general spaces away from the Trust, and sometimes require travel of considerable distances to access them. The new dedicated Centre will enable patients to receive this support locally, reducing the need for travel.
Caroline Shaw CBE, Chief Executive at QEH, said:
"A diagnosis of cancer brings with it a whole host of often overwhelming challenges, not only clinical but also psychological stresses on wellbeing and everyday life. The development of a new Health and Wellbeing Centre at QEH will enable us to expand and strengthen access to our Cancer Services and provide the essential long-term support our patients deserve."
The Centre is due to be open in April 2021, and will be subject to restrictions in place as a result of COVID-19.