Health Minister Mike Nesbitt has visited the construction site of the new Macmillan Information and Support Centre at Antrim Area Hospital.

The project, which officially broke ground last month, is designed to enhance access to support services for individuals and families affected by cancer within the Northern Trust area.

The new facility will provide tailored services for patients, including specific support for young people managing their own diagnosis or assisting a family member. During the visit, the Minister met with representatives from the Northern Trust, Macmillan Cancer Support, and the project's construction partners, MSM Contracts Ltd.

The design of the new building includes a lounge, an information hub, two therapy rooms, two quiet rooms, and a family room. Additionally, the centre will feature a group room and dedicated workspace for healthcare professionals. The exterior has been planned to offer a sense of "escapism" through a sunken courtyard, a walled garden, and a terrace.

The project is being delivered through a £3.5 million partnership, with Macmillan Cancer Support contributing £2.5 million and the Northern Trust providing £1 million.

-- Advertisement --

Speaking during the visit, Minister Nesbitt said: "I am pleased to see construction started on the new centre, which focuses on developing a localised, community-based support services for the benefit of cancer patients and their families. The collaborative partnership between Macmillan Cancer Support and the Northern Trust is a shining example of what can be achieved when we work together, ensuring that resources are maximised, expertise is shared and patients receive the very best care."

Paddy Graffin, Director of Infrastructure at the Northern Trust, added: "Construction of the new Macmillan Information and Support Centre got underway last month so we were very pleased to welcome Health Minister Nesbitt to the site today. The centre is much more than a building – it will give patients, families and staff a space that supports compassionate care. We are immensely proud of the partnerships that have brought us to this point and look forward to opening the doors in 2027."

Lynne McCartney, Interim Director for Surgery and Clinical Services with the Northern Trust, noted that the facility brings the Trust in line with other regional acute hospital sites. She stated: "It will give us more room to provide vital emotional, practical, and wellbeing support, and its location, close to both Laurel House chemotherapy unit and the Macmillan Palliative Care unit means it is accessible for those who need it. On behalf of the Trust, I want to reiterate our appreciation to Macmillan Cancer Support and all the donors who have made this project possible."

Jane Hughes, Programme Lead with the Macmillan Cancer Support Implementation Team, concluded: "We're hugely proud to be partnering with the Northern Trust on the new Macmillan Information and Support Centre at Antrim Area Hospital – a development that has only been made possible through the tireless generosity of our supporters. Macmillan is committed to making sure everyone with cancer can get the best possible care and support, and the new centre will offer the dedicated space that people living with cancer and their families so desperately need. We can't wait for the site to open in 2027 and we hope it will make a very real difference to the lives of people living with cancer in the local area."