(L-R) Richard Spratt, CEO, Cancer Focus NI; Denise Kettyles, Cancer Focus NI client; and Robin Swann MLA, former Health Minister.
Cancer Focus Northern Ireland plans to open five regional support centres across Northern Ireland by 2027 to create local spaces of sanctuary and support for people impacted by Cancer across the region in a major shake-up in how cancer care is delivered in Northern Ireland.
The announcement comes as Cancer Focus Northern Ireland today launched its new five-year strategy at an event at the Belfast Harbour Commissioners Office. 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.
Speakers at today’s event included Richard Spratt, Chief Executive of Cancer Focus Northern Ireland and former Health Minister Robin Swann MLA.
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.
Speaking at the Strategy launch event, Richard Spratt, Chief Executive of Cancer Focus Northern Ireland said:
“Our newly published five-year strategy is an exciting and ambitious plan that will see Cancer Focus Northern Ireland imbed itself into local communities to meet the needs of local cancer patients in the towns and cities across the region.
“Mirroring the emphasis of the Northern Ireland Cancer Strategy, our charity will rejuvenate its current patient-centered care approach by bringing together existing specialist cancer support services currently operating in local communities under a series of fit-for-purpose regional centres. From these spaces, we will continue to deliver a series of health improvement services to better tackle existing health inequalities experienced throughout Northern Ireland.
“As Northern Ireland’s first cancer charity, we believe that this future direction of cancer response is crucial to seeing more local people live their lives to the fullest. This is a progressive and positive shake-up in how we deliver cancer therapeutic support and ensures we remain responsive to the needs of those living with cancer in Northern Ireland.
“It is thanks to the endless support from our charity supporters that we are able to move forward with this new ambition. For over 50 years, our fantastic community and corporate supporters have helped us respond as a charity to the growing needs of people in Northern Ireland living with cancer.”
Presenting at the strategy launch, Ivan McMinn MBE, Chairperson, Cancer Focus Northern Ireland commented:
“I welcome this exciting new future for our charity. Speaking from personal experience, a cancer journey is one of the most devastating moments anyone can experience. I believe that having a local Therapeutic Support Centre will make a massive difference to someone’s journey from diagnosis and treatment to recovery.
“Our charity’s new vision is simple. We want people to live their most fulfilled lives with access to world-leading, equitable cancer support, treatment, diagnosis, prevention, and research. I, and the entire Board at Cancer Focus Northern Ireland, are delighted to support the charity during such a wonderful and exciting phase.”
Endorsing the news of local support centres, 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.”