Patients and their loved ones at Colchester Hospital will soon be able to benefit from more than treatment throughout their cancer journey.
Work is underway now to build a new cancer wellbeing centre. The centre will offer counselling and support services for patients, carers and families.
The wellbeing centre is being built in a lakeside location, so people can access services in a peaceful area away from busy clinical areas.
In the main building, the hospital’s Collingwood Centre brings together chemotherapy, haematology and radiotherapy under one roof.
The Colchester and Ipswich Hospitals Charity Cancer Centre Campaign made this project possible.
The £3.25million appeal launched in 2014. The aim of the appeal was to provide a state-of-the-art cancer centre in north Essex.
Both the cancer wellbeing centre and The Collingwood Centre are due to open in December.
Sarah Orr is lead cancer nurse at East Suffolk and North Essex NHS Foundation Trust (ESNEFT), which runs Colchester Hospital. Sarah said: “The cancer wellbeing centre will provide a hospital related service for our patients, but in quieter and more relaxed surroundings.
“We’ve deliberately chosen to build it in a more secluded location away from the busy environment of the main hospital. Here we’ll be able to support patients and their families through diagnosis, treatment and adjusting to life after cancer.”
The cancer wellbeing centre will offer specialist information advice and resources. For example, welfare benefits advice, and practical support. The centre will offer counselling services, complementary therapies and physical activity services. There will be hair and skincare advice and dietary advice. It will also be a venue for self-help and support groups.
Victoria Plumridge is a member of the Colchester Hospital Cancer Services User Group. Victoria said: “I’m so excited about this new build and the services it will offer.
“It will make a huge difference to the experiences of those patients and carers who receive a cancer diagnosis and treatment.”
Peter Wilson is chairman of the Cancer Centre Campaign’s fundraising committee. Peter said: “We are delighted to have been part of the campaign to build The Collingwood Centre and cancer wellbeing centre.
“We are still raising funds for finishing touches.”
The work is being carried out by West Mersea-based developers, Stroods Specialist Contractors.
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