Maggie’s in Southampton is providing its programme of support for people with cancer, and their family and friends, through its new centre based in the grounds of University Hospital Southampton.
Support from a team of professional staff is available by phone, email or online via Teams or Zoom and face to face by appointment only. Social distancing, hygiene and safety measures will be in place at the centre in line with Government guidelines, and visitors will be asked to call ahead for an appointment if possible. Tailored specialist help is offered as well as stress management, benefits advice and appointments with a psychologist.
University Hospital Southampton (UHS) NHS Foundation Trust is the specialist cancer hub for Dorset, Hampshire, Wiltshire, the Isle of Wight and the Channel Islands and last year alone, over 22,500 people from these areas received a new cancer diagnosis, highlighting the importance of Maggie’s who can now provide much needed free support to those living with cancer as well as their family and friends. Maggie’s work will complement the treatments received by people of all ages and with any type of cancer, as well as the research taking place at Southampton hospital.
Maggie’s Southampton Centre Head, Gilly Howard‐Jones, who until recently worked as a cancer nurse specialist at UHS said: “Cancer is possibly the hardest experience of a person’s life, yet coronavirus and restrictions have made living with cancer even more difficult as people find themselves having to self isolate or face delays in treatment. We of course understand that things are difficult at the moment which is why we’re offering support online and over the phone.”
Gilly continues: “We help people to live better with cancer by supporting them through their fear, anxiety, stress, money worries, questions about their treatment and much more. We are looking forward to supporting people this year in our new building which has been specially designed to provide a relaxed and beautiful setting with a big kitchen table at its heart. The impact of the coronavirus on people with cancer will be felt for a long time to come, but the good news is we are here to help in any way we can.”
Anyone needing support from Maggie’s in Southampton, can contact the centre as follows:
Telephone: 023 8212 4545
Email: maggies.southampton@maggiescentres.org
Maggie’s in Southampton is located in the grounds of University Hospital Southampton, adjacent to the blue carpark entrance off Tremona Road, close to the radiotherapy unit, Compton House.