Perth’s new cancer care centre has been officially opened by record-breaking round-the-world cyclist Mark Beaumont.
The Cornhill Macmillan Centre at PRI has been offering specialist care to people with cancer and other life-limiting illnesses since November.
The £3.775 million cost was met thanks to a mammoth community fund-raising effort.
Mark unveiled a commemorative plaque and said the centre is making a huge difference to people in the area.
“The response to the Macmillan fund-raising appeal was phenomenal and showed just how much the people of Perth and Kinross wanted a service like this on their doorstep.
“To be invited to officially open a centre which is such a tremendous asset to this community is a real honour.”
The centre is a joint partnership between Macmillan and NHS Tayside, providing specialist palliative care and support to patients with cancer and other life-limiting conditions.
A range of day-care and in-patient services, including symptom control, rehabilitation and end-of-life care, is available at the centre.
Scotland’s first two advanced nurse practitioners in palliative care are based there.
Before the centre opened, patients from Perth and Kinross who needed specialist in-patient palliative care had to travel to Dundee.
Someone grateful for the services offered by the Cornhill Macmillan Centre is Catherine Salmond, whose uncle Brian Scotland was cared for at the centre.
Catherine (29) said, “Without Cornhill my uncle could either have died in a busy hospital ward, with little privacy, or in a Dundee specialist palliative care unit, away from the familiarities of Perth and the people he was most close to.Dignity”Cornhill offered him the choice and dignity he deserved in a supportive and positive environment, exceeding all the family’s expectation of what a palliative care facility like this could be.”
Since the centre opened in November, almost 90 patients have been admitted to the in-patient unit for specialist palliative care.
In addition around 25 patients a month attend for day care services.
A weekly drop-in service is also popular and provides support for almost 60 patients and 15 carers every month.
Public support saw an average £5200 donated to the Perth and Kinross Appeal every day for two years from its launch in September 2007.
Macmillan’s director for Scotland, Elspeth Atkinson, said, “We know that this centre is something that locals really wanted and we are here today thanks to the support of NHS Tayside and the generosity of the people of Perth and Kinross.
“The response to the £3.775 million fund-raising appeal was stunning and we reached our target in just under two years-much earlier than we had anticipated.
“Every donation counted and we are extremely grateful.
“At what is such a difficult time for patients and carers, this centre will make a big difference, ensuring patients are treated in comfort and privacy while at the same time receiving first class clinical care.”
NHS Tayside chairman Sandy Watson said, “Cornhill Macmillan Centre is testament to the successful relationship which has been built between NHS Tayside and Macmillan Cancer Support over the years.
“I would like to take this opportunity to pay tribute to the fantastic ongoing support from the local communities of Perth and Kinross who have given most generously to this most worthwhile of causes.”