Spacious cancer centre is opened
A FLAGSHIP cancer support centre in Plymouth was being relaunched today following a £920,000 rebuild.
The Mustard Tree Macmillan Centre at Derriford Hospital was due to be officially reopened with a ribbon-cutting ceremony this afternoon.
After more than eight months of development it has 152 square metres of new space which will enable it to expand support services.
The centre receives around 11,500 visits a year from cancer patients and carers. It provides information, support, counselling and therapy.
Macmillan Cancer Support has largely funded the project itself, with financial support from the Plymouth Hospitals NHS Trust.
Mustard Tree manager Sue Smith said: "The opportunities this extension will bring are huge.
"The new space will now mean we will be able to offer many more appointments and will help us to provide more essential support for patients and their families.
"We're so grateful to Macmillan Cancer Support for funding this project, along with the trust."
Ed Murphy, senior Macmillan development manager for South West England, said the Mustard Tree was the largest cancer information and support centre in the South West and a flagship for the region.
"The centre provides crucial support to local people living with cancer," said Mr Murphy.
"It's a sanctuary where cancer patients and their carers can get information and support through the devastation of cancer diagnosis, to working through treatment and afterwards.
"Macmillan wants to reach and improve the lives of everyone affected by cancer who wants or needs us. The expansion will allow far more people to be seen and more services delivered.
"We're enormously grateful to everyone who has raised money for Macmillan to help make this project possible."
He also praised the dedicated staff and volunteers.
Paul Roberts, chief executive of the Plymouth Hospitals NHS Trust, described the Mustard Tree Centre as "a very special place" and a haven for patients.
"It's a key part of the services and care we offer to cancer patients and their families," he said.
"It's 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."
The new extension has been constructed by KMS (Contract Building Services) Ltd.
Kevin Smith, director of KMS, said: "We're 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."
Today's relaunch was to be attended by cancer patients, carers, centre and hospital staff, volunteers and city dignitaries.
CASE STUDY: Vicky Sewart
VICKY SEWART says that if given the opportunity to change her life, she would still choose to go through cancer.
The 41-year-old has undergone two operations as well as radiotherapy, chemotherapy and ongoing drug treatment since she was diagnosed with a breast tumour in June last year.
She says the Mustard Tree has given her invaluable support, advice and understanding throughout the ordeal.
Vicky, who owns Victoria Sewart Contemporary Jewellery Gallery on the Barbican, said: "If I lived my life again, I'd include cancer.
"It's made me more aware of what's important and it's made me realise that I've got a good life, a bright future. I'm lucky."
She said Derriford's Macmillan Centre helped her cope with the disease from diagnosis and had been fantastic'.
"Family and friends can be hugely supportive and there for you, but there's nobody other than a cancer patient, or people at the hospital who have seen people go through it time and time again, who can truly understand how you feel," she said.
At the Mustard Tree, Vicky took up counselling, reflexology and hypnotherapy to help her mental state and boost her energy levels, which enabled her to continue running her business during her illness. "I wanted to do everything I could to keep healthy and the centre helped me do that," she said.
Vicky also received financial advice. "I'm self-employed so when I was told I had cancer I worried about what I would do if I was too ill to work," she explained.
"I talked to advisors at the Mustard Tree and straight away all the stress and worry about finances was alleviated. They help you fill out forms and everything – otherwise it's a minefield."
Vicky, who is recovering from her cancer, will complete her treatment with the drug herceptin in February.
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