GSSllp were delighted to attend the official opening of the Macmillan Cancer Support Centre at Kettering General Hospital on 16th January, with The Right Honourable Earl Spencer cutting the ribbon to open the new space.
Shaped by local people living with cancer, the state-of-the art centre brings together a range of vital cancer information and support services under one roof and, since welcoming its first patient at the end of May last year, the centre has already supported over 700 people, providing practical and emotional support, welfare benefits advice, wig fitting services and signposting to other support services.
Paul Vega, Partner at GSSllp, said: “We are delighted to see the new Macmillan Cancer Support Centre officially open, and it is great to have seen the positive response this has had from the community since welcoming its first patient last year. Our longstanding relationship with Kettering General Hospital continues to grow and we are privileged to have worked as Quantity Surveyors on the first centre of its kind North Northamptonshire. We look forward to seeing the centre continue to benefit and positively impact those living with and affected by cancer.”
Situated within the courtyard inside the hospital’s main ward block, the design makes best use of the available space, whilst providing an engaging and sympathetic environment for those working within and visiting the centre. The unique curved nature of the plan enables the building to interact with several interesting external spaces that have been created, while maintaining the requirement for a less clinical, private, and calming setting.
Rachel Atkinson, Macmillan Partnership Manager for Northamptonshire, said: “It’s fantastic to be able to officially open this new centre which is already having a positive impact on the local community. Being diagnosed with cancer can affect so many different areas of your life, from relationships to finances. The new Macmillan Cancer Support Centre will support people with all those non-clinical needs, to enable them to live well with cancer, not just survive.”
Ruth Giles, Macmillan Head of Nursing for Cancer, said: “To be able to provide support in such a light, bright, welcoming space is wonderful, and we’ve had a really positive response from patients who are already benefiting from the centre. Anyone with any questions or concerns about cancer can just drop in, no appointment needed, and speak to our specialist team who are there to provide support from the moment of diagnosis.”
Having delivered projects at Kettering General Hospital for over 100 years, including the original hospital building back in 1897, GSSllp were delighted to provide quantity surveying services for the delivery of the centre, alongside Main Contractor, Marshdale Construction Ltd., and GSSArchitecture, who provided architectural, principal designer and lead consultant services.