(L-R) Richard Spratt, CEO, Cancer Focus NI; Denise Kettyles, Cancer Focus NI client; and Robin Swann MLA, former Health Minister.
Ulster Unionist MLA and former Stormont Health Minister Robin Swann has welcomed the news that Cancer Focus NI is to open five new regional support centres across Northern Ireland in an innovative approach in how cancer care is delivered.
The local organisation plans to open the new centres by 2027 to create local spaces of sanctuary and support for people impacted by Cancer across the region.
Part of the proposals includes the planned sale of Cancer Focus Northern Ireland’s current headquarters on Belfast’s Eglantine Avenue to help fund these ambitious plans.
Other key aspects of the new strategy include:
• Increase public awareness of how to reduce the risk of cancer and promote healthier living.
• Funding research on primary cancers of unmet need.
• Supporting research into the personal and social outcomes of local people affected by and experiencing cancer.
• Creation of multi-purpose retail outlets to compliment the cancer support centres.
• A network of bespoke, regional cancer support centres will be strategically placed across Northern Ireland to allow flexibility in how people engage with cancer specialists or avail of individual or group therapeutic support.
Aimed at bringing cancer care into communities and onto the high streets, the centres will be designed to ensure that visitors experience a sense of being away from the clinical environment of a hospital. Local support centres will also offer space and opportunity for relaxation, reflection and solace as well as providing vital emotional and practical support services along with access to information and advice relevant to the needs of each person and their family.
Mr Swann spoke at the Cancer Focus NI event at which the organisation launched its ambitious plans as part of its next five-year strategy.
North Antrim MLA Robin Swann said:
“No family escapes cancer. Either by ourselves or through a close family member, we'll all be impacted in some way. The disease is often indiscriminate, with no barrier on age, general health or personal circumstances.
“Yet thanks to the skills of our workforce and advancements in treatments and care, more and more lives are being saved or extended each and every day. We know more about the disease now than we ever have, and we’ve never been better placed to respond to it, especially if detected in time.
“Yet cancer services across Northern Ireland are still facing immense challenges and difficulties at the present time.
“That is why whenever I was appointed the last Minister of Health in early 2020, I set trying to improve the outcomes for people diagnosed with cancer as a key priority. And one of the key mechanisms by which I hoped that could be achieved would be through the publication of Northern Ireland’s new 10-year strategy. The day I launched the strategy, I also had the pleasure of unveiling plans for two brand new rapid diagnostic centres, one of which are to be located here in the Northern Trust.
“The central vision of the overall strategy was to ensure that everyone in Northern Ireland, wherever they live, has equitable and timely access to the most effective, evidence-based referral, diagnosis, treatment, support and person centred cancer care.
“Whilst all political parties publicly stated they were committed to its implementation, following the collapse of the Executive shortly after, the strategy has shamefully been starved of the political leadership and funding allocations it requires.
“Thankfully, however, there are still people and groups passionate about trying to deliver improved outcomes for cancer sufferers and their families. That is why I was very pleased to have been asked to attend and speak at the Cancer Focus NI event.
"In particular, I was really impressed by its commitment to establish five brand new therapeutic support centres in communities across Northern Ireland. The centres will allow flexibility in how people engage with cancer specialists and offer them the chance of individual or group therapeutic support. They will also be specifically designed to ensure that visitors experience a sense of being away from the clinical environment of a hospital.
Mr Swann added:
"This is a good announcement and whilst profound problems remain right across all our public services, it is encouraging to hear at least some progress being made".
Denise Kettyles
Endorsing the news of local support centres, cancer survivor Denise Kettyles explained:
“In January 2021, I received a phone call to visit a gynaecologist and there I was diagnosed with stage one endometrial cancer. At the time I was overwhelmed and concerned, particularly that a hysterectomy was mentioned as a treatment option.
“Living in rural Fermanagh, travelling miles for appointments, and not having a professional cancer support network around me did make things more difficult. But through Cancer Focus Northern Ireland I received counselling from Helen who helped me develop the skills needed to process and understand my thoughts and feelings.
“This is why it is fantastic that services provided by Cancer Focus Northern Ireland through its new five-year strategy will be offered at new regional support centres throughout Northern Ireland. Months after my surgery, I had some things going on in my body, but had nowhere to go to talk to a professional. This new facility would have made such a difference to my recovery and I’m confident that it will support patients and their families for years to come.”