Major boost for cancer care as £3.5m support centre gets green light at Antrim Area Hospital

Planning permission has been approved for the construction of a £3.5 million cancer support centre at Antrim Hospital, members of the Northern Health and Social Care Trust board have been told.

Paddy Graffin, the Northern Trust’s Divisional Director of Infrastructure, informed members at a meeting held at Antrim Hospital on Thursday that permission has been granted by Antrim and Newtownabbey Borough Council for the proposed new facility.

The centre is being funded through a partnership between Macmillan Cancer Support, which is contributing £2.5 million, and the Northern Trust, which is providing £1 million.

Mr Graffin said building work is scheduled to commence on February 2, with completion expected in approximately 12 months. Trust board members approved the full business case, giving the formal go-ahead for the information and support centre.

He told members the facility would be a “holistic health and well-being centre” and would be “accessible to the community”.

The Macmillan facility will be located adjacent to Fern House and will provide support for cancer patients and their families. The proposed standalone two-storey building will include a lounge and information hub, two therapy rooms, two quiet rooms, a family room and a group room.

Proposed outdoor spaces include a walled garden, lower courtyard and terrace. The site is currently an area of woodland.

A design and access statement submitted with the planning application states:

“The landscape proposal has been discussed with a group of stakeholders and patients who attended the arranged design meetings.

“A space dedicated to Teenage Cancer Trust will be offered in the walled garden for young adults to enjoy their own space.”

The centre will also improve access to cancer support services for young people who have received a cancer diagnosis themselves or who are supporting a family member.

Macmillan spokesperson Gordon McLean said previously:

“As the number of people with cancer grows, it’s important that everyone has access to services that meet their individual needs. Working in partnership with the Northern Trust, we can improve cancer care together and ensure that more people get the support they need.”

During the past seven years, Macmillan’s information and support service has supported more than 9,000 people living with cancer, as well as their families and carers. Without a dedicated space for events and in-person activities, much of this support is currently delivered off-site or online.

The Northern Trust is currently the only Health and Social Care Trust in Northern Ireland without a dedicated cancer support centre at its main acute hospital site.