During the visit he met with patients and staff to see at first hand the care offered there to those with terminal illness. Mr McGimpsey also toured the recently built £3million extension to the hospice.
Mr McGimpsey praised the commitment of the staff and volunteers to the welfare of patients. He said: “It is appropriate that I am visiting today at the beginning of Marie Curie’s volunteer week. Whilst the work of volunteers is highly valued by Marie Curie, their efforts and the important contribution they make are less well known to the public on whose behalf they work so selflessly. I would like to take this opportunity to publicly thank those volunteers who give so generously of their time here at the Marie Curie Centre, and in the community, to provide a much valued role in supporting people with life limiting illness.
“Through their work they actively sustain the best possible quality of life for people with cancer, providing invaluable support to patients and their families.”
Commenting on the new extension at the hospice, the Minister said: “The new facilities will I am sure make a real difference to the experience of Marie Curie patients and their visiting families.
“The new rooms are now much larger, making it possible for an additional day bed to be in place for those family members wishing to stay overnight with their loved ones.
“New ensuite bathing facilities in each room also make life much easier for patients. The landscaped garden area in the centre of the complex will certainly enhanced the patients’ stay at the Centre.”
Marie Curie Cancer Caring Services Director Meave Hully said:”We very much welcome Minister McGimpsey’s visit here today.
“It has been a wonderful opportunity for the charity to explain the work of our hospice and our nurses working out in the community.
“We are keen to continue to work closely with the Department of Health, Social Services and Public Safety to improve the care being provided to all terminally ill patients.”
NOTES TO EDITORS:
- Marie Curie Cancer Care in Northern Ireland provides care for terminally ill patients and their families at its hospice on Kensington Road, East Belfast. Inpatient, outpatient, day therapy services and home nursing are provided. There are nearly 200 nurses across the province caring for terminally ill patients in the place that they want to be. The work is funded by government and by the generosity of local people; the services are provided free of charge to the patients and their families
- Marie Curie set up The Living Rooms Appeal to raise the £3 million required for the extension project.
- The extension at the Marie Curie Centre includes the creation of 17 larger rooms (16 single rooms and one twin room for the occasions when family members require care together); each with en suite toilet and bathing facilities. The extra space available will enhance each patient’s stay at the Centre.
- For media enquiries please contact the DHSSPS Press Office on 028 90520074.
