Macmillan Caring Locally

Run For Macmillan Caring Locally

Barry Wilson

01202477628

[email protected]

Macmillan Caring Locally is a small independent charity in Dorset, with no connection to the national organisation Macmillan Cancer Support.

Macmillan Caring Locally supports the Macmillan Unit, a Specialist Palliative Care Ward at Christchurch Hospital in Dorset. We also provide funding for a team of Specialist Palliative Care Sisters, who care for our Patients living at home in our Community. We are proud to support the Macmillan Unit which is a centre of excellence. 

The Grove Macmillan Caring Locally owns & operates The Grove in Bournemouth, the UK's only holiday hotel for Cancer patients and people with life threatening illnesses.

Brick by Brick At Macmillan Caring Locally, we believe caring for our patients and providing them with a place where they feel supported, relaxed and respected is paramount. It is the very least that they deserve.
The current Macmillan Unit is dated. Built in 1974, it is struggling to support the services our team strive to provide or an environment that is fit for purpose to care for our patients. Currently, patients need to be taken through the hospital reception in order to get to the garden, which adversely affects their dignity and independence. There is limited security for dementia patients and shared bathroom facilities do not provide adequate privacy. New technology such as electric beds simply do not fit in the unit so improvements and extra space is needed for us to keep up to date with our care. We have virtually no storage space for wheelchairs and other equipment and the technology to support family contact and independent care is extremely limited. The building also lacks a sense of comfort that our patients desire away from the hospital environment.
The new building, while not feeling like a hospital, will be designed to accommodate the needs of patients with life limiting illnesses. With 20 beds over two storeys, each room will have comfortable furniture, a view of the garden, direct access to a shady terrace and opening doors to allow for socialising. Bays will be named rather than numbered and the layout will be easy to navigate, connecting all parts of the service. Each patient will be able to add some personal touches to their room and there will be up to date technology giving patients access to communications with family or to simply order a take away meal. Additional space and comfortable seating in the patient lounges and break out areas for relatives will be provided so they can be nearby during patient assessments and care procedures.
In order to support the unit, more staff office space is required. The unit also desperately needs more storage for unit supplies, equipment and patient property. A quiet zone and a children’s space will also be invaluable to patients and families, as well as a more welcoming entrance area. Gardens and outdoor space are vital in providing an ‘escape’ for patients and families. Overnight facilities, therapy, security and equipment to support the physical needs of everyone will help to make this building become a hospice that reaches the highest of standards in care. 
Here at Macmillan Caring Locally, we have asked our patients and their visitors what they think would make an ideal hospice. With your help, we can provide them with all the elements that contribute towards a more personal and comfortable experience at the new hospice. 
Referrals to the palliative care unit at Macmillan Caring Locally have increased by 100% in the last seven years. In fact, in 2006 there were 581 referrals to our service and in 2016 there were 1543 referrals - you can see why we need to move to larger premises. 
We are unable to add to our current building but referrals to the unit are continuing to increase and with your help, we can build a new hospice that will provide our patients with a restful and homely environment in which to spend their precious remaining time.

For more information go to www.macmillanlocal.org