A support centre which provides vital services for cancer patients and their carers officially opened today (Tuesday 24 November) having recently undergone a significant extension.

Patients and volunteers of the support centre joined the Chief Executive of Plymouth Hospitals NHS Trust, Paul Roberts and representatives from Macmillan Cancer Support and KMS (Contract Building Services) to announce the new extension officially open.

The Mustard Tree Macmillan Centre, which currently receives around 11,500 visits per year, is a haven for cancer patients, providing them with information, support and therapy. The new extension, which has been built by KMS (Contract Building Services) Ltd, has provided the centre with an extra 152 square metre of space and it is anticipated that the increase in space will allow for more visits each year.

Patients and their families go along to the centre to relax, receive information, support and counselling, seek advice on benefits that might be available to them, access complementary therapies and more. The new space will allow for more visits per year. Macmillan Cancer Support has largely funded the £920,000 project, with financial support from Plymouth Hospitals NHS Trust.

Sue Smith, Manager of the Mustard Tree Centre, said: “We are so grateful to Macmillan Cancer Support for funding this project, along with the Trust. The opportunities that this extension will bring are huge.  The new space will now mean that we will be able to offer many more appointments and will help us to provide more essential support for patients and their families.”

                        

Ed Murphy, Senior Development Manager for Macmillan said: “The Mustard Tree Macmillan Centre provides crucial support to local people living with cancer. Macmillan wants to reach and improve the lives of everyone affected by cancer who wants or needs us. We are very pleased to be working in partnership with Plymouth Hospitals NHS Trust to support the extension of this service so even more people living with cancer can benefit from the great service that is provided here. We are enormously grateful to everyone who has raised money for Macmillan to help make this project possible.”

Paul Roberts, Chief Executive of Plymouth Hospitals NHS Trust, said: “The Mustard Tree Centre is a very special place and it is seen as a sanctuary and haven by patients. It is a key part of the services and care we offer to cancer patients and their families. It has been a delight to work with Macmillan Cancer Support on the expansion and I hope the patients who value the centre will be pleased to see and use the new facilities.”

                       

Kevin Smith, Director of KMS (Contract Building Services) Ltd, said: “We are delighted to have completed the Mustard Tree project, on time and on budget. I’m very proud of our workforce and all key members of our management team who worked tirelessly with both the design team and the client to ensure the smooth progress of the job, and the delivery of excellent new facilities which will benefit a great number of people for years to come.”

The Mustard Tree Macmillan Centre opened its doors to patients on Monday 9 November.