Hospital opens new cancer care centre

Dame Laura Lee DBE said the centre was open to "everyone who needs it"

A new branch of a national cancer charity has opened in the grounds of a town's hospital.

The Maggie's Centre will offer practical, emotional and financial support for people with cancer and their families and aims to be a "safe space" for its users.

It expects at least 15,000 visits a year and was officially opened by the charity's chief executive, Dame Laura Lee DBE, at an event on Monday.

She said: "Maggie's is there for everyone who needs it... we know this makes a huge difference to helping people cope with their diagnosis from getting ready for cancer treatment, help with potential side effects, support after treatment, benefits advice or support coping with advanced cancer."

The support service, open to all with no appointment or referral necessary, provides free practical, emotional and psychological support to people living with cancer, as well as their family and friends.

It also offers benefits advice and mental health support to help with exercise and nutrition.

Helen and Jason Forskitt said Maggie's was a huge boost to cancer patients and their families in and around Northampton

Helen Forskitt and her husband Jason sought support from Maggie's in Nottingham after their son Zac was diagnosed with two rare cancers in quick succession and died in 2016.

Mr and Mrs Forskitt spent three months staying in Nottingham during Zac's treatment, 70 miles from their home in Northampton and said it was "wonderful" that the service was now available for people in the town.

Mr Forskitt said Maggie's was a "safe, quiet environment" that felt "completely different" to being in a hospital environment.

Mrs Forskitt added that the charity provided "really nice places" to seek support and "meet a friendly smiley face".

Zac Forskitt's family had to travel to Nottingham during his cancer treatment

Laura Churchward, chief executive of the University Hospitals of Northamptonshire said: "The services and compassionate care provided by Maggie's will be a tremendous support to individuals and families across Northamptonshire and beyond.

"We hope the centre will guide them through their cancer journey in a unique and comforting environment."

Cancer patient Don is delighted by the opening of the new Maggie's centre

Don Connolly, who is undergoing treatment for advanced prostate cancer, said the new service was "fantastic" news.

The 73-year-old said: "When you get diagnosed with cancer, it's a big shock. The hospital staff are brilliant at treating you... but the other side is the huge impact it has on you and your family to come to terms with.

"This centre will mean it's possible to have conversations in a nicer setting than a hospital corridor, and a space to process what you're going through with people trained to look after your wellbeing."

The centre was designed by Stephen Marshall Architects, with a garden from landscaper Arne Maynard

Planning permission was granted in 2020 and work began in the middle of last year.

Fundraising for the project was given a huge boost in 2022 after racing driver Diana Russell left a legacy of £2.43m to the cancer centre.

Russell was a member of the Phipps brewery family, based in Northampton, and was a familiar figure on racing circuits in the 1960s and 1970s.

She also owned a vintage car showroom in Northampton.

Her son, David, said the building was "very nice" and that his mother "would love it".

The centre is being named The Diana Russell Building in her honour.

Diana Russell drove racing cars, including this 1922 Leyland Eight