PATIENT SUPPORT CENTRE
One of the Charities ambitions is to purchase a property to create a Patient Support Centre. This would support patients with cancer from all over Sussex, especially those attending the Sussex Cancer Centre.
Background
The Sussex Cancer Centre, which is based in the Royal Sussex County Hospital, provides non surgical cancer services for most of the population of Sussex. The catchment population is approximately 1.2 million.
The Patient Support Centre would serve those patients with cancer and their carers from all over Sussex.
The Sussex Cancer Centre is very unusual in not having a Patient Support Centre and is not in a position to provide this service on site due to lack of space. There is no prospect of further expansion on site.
The Sussex Cancer Centre does not have space for: complimentary medicine, patient information, patient support areas/quiet rooms etc and very inadequate space for the Macmillan nurses, their secretary and the Macmillan palliative care consultant.
Basic Requirements for a Patient Support Centre
A building within walking distance of the Cancer Centre that would provide:
1. Walk in lounge and refreshment area manned by volunteers providing
a welcoming and primarily non medical atmosphere as a refuge and
respite for patients and their carers
2. Room for open access source of information on Cancer and its
treatment for patients and their carers
3. Room for guided access to information sources including the internet
4. Counselling Room(s)
5. Quiet Room(s)
6. Complimentary therapy room eg aromatherapy, massage etc)
7. Meeting room for self help groups, art therapy, healthy eating
workshops
8. Office space for Macmillan counsellor, dietician, Macmillan nurses,
Macmillan palliative care consultant and secretary
9. Office for Support Centre Manager
10. Kitchen, staff and patient (disabled) wc’s etc
