People with cancer will now be able to access the advice and support they need, following the launch of a new Macmillan information pod at Prince Charles Hospital in Merthyr.
Officially launched with the help of local celebrity Roy Noble OBE, the pod is part of a £250,000 investment into a new cancer information and support service for people affected by cancer in the Cwm Taf University Health Board area.
The investment from Macmillan Wales covers a new information pod in the main reception of Prince Charles Hospital, as well as 5 new information points located across the Royal Glamorgan, Ysbyty Cwm Cynon and Ysbyty Cwm Rhondda hospital sites.
The investment, which is only made possible through the generous support of the Welsh public, will also make sure that a highly-trained cancer information specialist will be on hand for anyone needing advice and support following a cancer diagnosis.
The launch of the new pod means that Macmillan Cancer Support has invested well over £3.5 million into funding new cancer information and support services at hospital sites across Wales since 2007.
Speaking at the launch, well known radio and television broadcaster Roy Noble said:
“I am immensely proud to have been invited to help launch this fantastic new cancer information and support pod.
“The pod is testimony to what can be achieved when people come together to work for a common cause – in this case, making sure people with cancer get the information and support they so desperately need.
“I am sure that thanks to the work of Macmillan in Wales and Cwm Taf University Health Board, this new cancer information service will quickly become a huge source of support for people in our local communities.”
Richard Pugh, Head of Services for Macmillan Cancer Support in Wales, said:
“Every two minutes someone in the UK is told they have cancer. We must make sure they are told about the wide range of support that is available as well.
“We know that cancer can affect far more than a person’s health. People with cancer will have to manage its impact on their work, family, hobbies, friends, their social life and even their own sense of self.
“This information pod is jam-packed with information and led by a highly-trained cancer information specialist – it is all about helping people with cancer to live life as fully as they can by making sure they get the right information and support at the time they need it the most.
“We are hugely proud to be working with Cwm Taf University Health Board to make this new service available to our communities. The local Cwm Taf chaplaincy and patient experience teams have been tireless in their efforts to make this a reality.
“We are also immensely grateful for the generosity of the Welsh public whose fundraising efforts make new Macmillan cancer support services like this one possible.”
Professor Marcus Longley, Chair of Cwm Taf University Health Board, said:
“Our patients and their families are at the heart of everything we do at Cwm Taf.
“The new Macmillan pod offers quality written information that can help patients with any questions they may have about the wider impacts of their cancer diagnosis, as well as a space for people to chat face-to-face about any difficult issues or concerns they may have.
“By working with Macmillan in Wales on the development of the new pod, we are filling a clearly defined need in cancer care and working to make sure we can offer the best possible support to anyone affected by cancer.”
