For more information about these iHOPE programmes in Milton Keynes, contact the Cancer Information Centre at MKUH. Click here.
New lottery funding for the Lighthouse Centre Northampton
The Lighthouse Centre in nearby Northampton now has special Lottery funding to support and extend its brilliant work.
The Lighthouse Centre (TLC) is an innovative complementary therapy centre offering holistic therapies for people with long term conditions or cancers in their own home. TLC is patient orientated with patient needs at the centre of any therapy or treatment that is prescribed.Treatments include:
Help keep Henry’s last wish alive
Henry Dylan Allen was just two years old in February 2012 when he was diagnosed with a terrible childhood cancer: Stage 4, High Risk, MYCN Amplified Neuroblastoma. Hopefully, you will know his story – he is a local superhero.
Henry went through two years of gruelling tests, painful treatments and surgeries yet Henry smiled. His happiness and bravery were astonishing.
‘Henry’s Happiness’ won the hearts of our community and the fundraising began – fundraising initially for treatment abroad. Henry’s condition deteriorated and there were no more options. Henry came home and sadly on the 20th October 2013 superhero Henry gained his angel wings. Gone but never forgotten.
But, as with all superheroes, Henry had dreamt BIG and he made his Mummy and Daddy “pinkie promise” to follow his dreams and help the other children. The Henry Allen Trust (THAT) was born.
Milton Keynes cancer patients & carers to have Telephone Buddy service from Macmillan
Christine Cowap, our local Macmillan Engagement Lead, shares the following:
“As part of our response to the Coronavirus pandemic, we have built on the existing good practice of our local volunteer buddy schemes and are now offering a Telephone Buddying service to people living with cancer across the UK. This is will see trained and supported Macmillan volunteers offering a weekly telephone chat service; providing a listening ear and low level emotional support, as well signposting to our and other appropriate services.”
“Following this link will take you to the page on our website where you can refer someone, or the link can be shared for people to self-refer. Anyone referred will have an initial conversation and assessment with a Macmillan member of staff, and will then be matched with a volunteer buddy. Our experienced Macmillan volunteer managers will be supervising and supporting the buddies throughout the process, and service users will also have a named Macmillan member of staff to contact if necessary.”
For up-to-date news, discussions and the chance to join in with your views, please visit and join the MKCPP Facebook group.
April 13, 2020 Update from Cancer Services at MKUH
IMPORTANT NEWS BULLETIN FROM CANCER SERVICES
Protecting patients visiting the Cancer Centre at MKUH
In these strange and challenging times, we are working hard to protect patients who under the care of the Cancer Centre.
Outpatients, Macmillan Chemotherapy Suite and Macmillan Irene Crosswell Wellbeing Lounge
Wherever possible and appropriate, clinics are operating over the telephone. This includes consultation with doctors, our psychologist, specialist nurses, our physiotherapist, our dietitian and wellbeing nurses.
If a patient needs to come in to the Cancer Centre for treatment, supportive therapy, a consultation or a blood test, we are doing all we can to keep them safe. Staff and volunteers are adhering to the government guidelines regarding personal protective equipment (PPE). This serves to protect our patients as well as our staff and volunteers.
On arrival at the Cancer Centre, visitors are asked to wait in their cars or to return later, unless it is absolutely necessary for them to attend an appointment, in very special circumstances. Our waiting room, chemotherapy suite and clinic rooms are arranged in such a way as to maintain at least two metres distance when sitting and we have signage in various areas to remind everyone to maintain social distancing.
Patients are asked to wash and disinfect their hands at every opportunity, as are staff and volunteers. We also redirect deliveries where we can to minimise the footfall through the Cancer Centre.
Some of the procedures carried out in the Cancer Centre require staff to be less than two metres away from a patient. However, staff are adhering to the government guidance so that our patients are kept as safe as possible.
Ward 25
All of the above applies to the ward also. Staff are working very hard to keep patients safe and adhering to the appropriate guidelines regarding PPE according to patient care needs. Every staff member/visitor is required to wear a surgical mask, gloves and an apron on entering the ward and for the duration there.
MKUH
The hospital Trust is doing an amazing job of keeping us up-to-date with all policies and procedures regarding Covid-19. This ensures that we are keeping our patients as safe as possible all the time. Staff with transferrable skills are being redeployed as appropriate to ensure that staffing levels are maintained as well as possible across the piece. We have designated staff members who link with PPE to access the equipment so vital to maintaining patient safety.
Cancer Centre Help Line
We have launched a Patient Help Line for patients to use regarding questions and queries about Covid-19 and how it impacts their appointments or treatment etc. The helpline is open Monday to Friday 9am to 5pm. The number is: 01908 997634. This number has been included on the letters sent to patients in the ‘vulnerable’ group, so that they can phone and clarify any concerns they have about the current situation.