Jonathan Dimbleby visits new Cancer Centre in Sidcup

Broadcaster Jonathan Dimbleby had a sneak preview of the new Guy’s and St Thomas’ Cancer Centre at Queen Mary’s Hospital, Sidcup, during a site visit last week.

Representatives from Dimbleby Cancer Care, the charity that he chairs, and Macmillan Cancer Support have partnered to develop a service to support people affected by cancer when the new Cancer Centre opens in early summer 2016.

The £200,000 Dimbleby Macmillan Support Centre will be an integral part of the new Cancer Centre. Supported by volunteers, the service will operate five days a week to offer practical and emotional support to patients and their families.

It will replace and expand on the work of the current Douglas Macmillan Centre at Queen Mary’s Hospital, where a dedicated team of volunteers and Dimbleby Cancer Care staff currently help people affected by cancer.

The new Guy’s and St Thomas’ Cancer Centre is part of a £30 million redevelopment of the Queen Mary’s Hospital site, which is owned by Oxleas NHS Foundation Trust.

During the visit, Jonathan Dimbleby said: “You can see how the building is starting to take shape and it gives you a real feel for what an important role this centre will play in supporting people with cancer in London and Kent.

“It will help to deliver the first class cancer services already offered at Guy’s and St Thomas’ to people where they really need it, closer to home. This is something Dimbleby Cancer Care is very proud to be part of and I look forward to the opening next year.”

Sarah Gigg, Senior Macmillan Development Manager, added: “Every day more than 100 people in London and Kent hear the devastating news that they have cancer. This number is set to nearly double by 2030, which will result in thousands more people in the area needing medical, practical and emotional support.

“For this reason, we are very proud to be developing the Dimbleby Macmillan Support Service whichwill help people affected by cancer both during and after treatment, so that no one faces cancer alone.”