New Maggie’s cancer care centre coming to Dumfries
The plans were given the green light by the health board.
A new Maggie’s cancer care centre is to be built at DGRI, after the health board recently approved plans.
The team at the national cancer charity Maggie’s, can now start to progress with plans to offer support to D&G patients
This will also be in the hometown of the founder, Maggie Keswick Jencks.
Dame Laura Lee DBE, Chief Executive of cancer care charity Maggie’s, said: “I am delighted we now have the green light to plan a Maggie’s centre in the grounds of Dumfries Royal Infirmary.
“This centre has been in development with the NHS Dumfries and Galloway for a long time, so it is wonderful to now be able to look forward to a time when people living with cancer, as well as family and friends, many of whom currently visit centres in Glasgow and Edinburgh for support, have our expert support closer to them.
“Of course, we also know that there’s something special about having a centre here because we know how fondly our founder Maggie Keswick Jencks is remembered in her hometown of Dumfries.”
Every year, there are around 1,200 new cancer diagnoses in the region, so this new facility will save patients and families from having to travel to the Edinburgh or Glasgow centres.
Chief Executive Julie White said: “I am delighted to be working with Dame Laura and the team at Maggie's to deliver on the proposals to establish a Maggie's service for the people across our communities in Dumfries and Galloway, and that Maggie’s can now take forward plans for their programme of support.
“We know the support that this approach can bring, and conversations have been focused on ensuring it benefits people across our region.
“Although the centre will be constructed in Dumfries, Maggie’s appreciate that we are a remote and rural area and are supportive of an approach serving the region in its entirety.
“This was very much welcomed at our Cancer Steering Group, as was Maggie’s openness to working with third sector organisations who provide support for illnesses other than cancer – indicating there may be opportunities for them to also make use of the new facility.”
Julie White added: “NHS Dumfries and Galloway is facing significant financial challenges, but this new Maggie’s centre is set to be taken forward by the charity – with the NHS Board providing the land where it will be constructed over the coming years.”
The national charity has been running for almost three decades, and by the end of this year, there will be 27 centres across the UK and “a growing international network.”
Support involves sessions with cancer support specialists, psychologists and benefits advisors for patients, friends and family.