Work to commence on £3.5m cancer support centre at Antrim Area Hospital
Planning permission has been approved for construction of a £3.5m cancer support centre at Antrim Hospital, members of the Northern Health and Social Care Trust board have been told.
Paddy Graffin, the Northern Trust’s divisional director of infrastructure, informed members at a meeting in Antrim Hospital, on Thursday, permission has been granted by Antrim and Newtownabbey Borough Council for the proposed new facility, which is being funded through a partnership between the Macmillan charity, which is contributing £2.5m and the Northern Trust, £1m.
Mr Graffin said building work is scheduled to commence on February 2 with a completion date in approximately 12 months time. Trust board members approved a full business case giving the go-ahead for the information and support centre.
He told members previously it would be a “holistic health and well-being centre” which would be “accessible to the community”.
The Macmillan facility will be located adjacent to Fern House to provide support for cancer patients and their families. The proposed standalone two-storey building will include a lounge and information hub, two therapy rooms, two quiet rooms, a family room and group room.
Proposed outdoor spaces include a walled garden, lower courtyard and terrace. The site is an area of woodland at present.
A design and access statement submitted with the application says: “The landscape proposal has been discussed with a group of stakeholders and patients who attended the arranged design meetings.
“A space dedicated to Teenage Cancer Trust will be offered in the walled garden for young adults to enjoy their own space.”
The centre will also improve access to cancer support services for young people who have received a cancer diagnosis themselves or who are supporting a family member.
Macmillan spokesperson Gordon McLean said previously: “As the number of people with cancer grows, it’s important that everyone has access to services that meet their individual needs. Working in partnership with the Northern Trust, we can improve cancer care together and ensure that more people get the support they need.”
During the last seven years, Macmillan’s information and support service has supported more than 9,000 people living with cancer, their families and carers. Without a dedicated space for events and in-person activities, much of this support is currently offered off-site or online.
Michelle Weir, Local Democracy Reporter