Actor Dunbar impressed as he opens first health campus
NORTHERN Ireland’s first health and wellbeing campus has been officially opened in Londonderry by award winning actor Adrian Dunbar.
Macmillan Cancer and the Western Trust developed the campus on the site of Altnagelvin hospital.
It will provide a range of services, not just to people diagnosed with cancer, but for those living with long-term complaints.
Campus manager Tara Boyle knows first-hand the benefits the centre will bring. She said: “I began work as project manager for the capital build three years ago, but just last June I myself was diagnosed with stomach cancer.
“I’m not from a nursing background but I had researched a lot about cancer for my role as centre manager and I was preparing myself to learn about cancer, but then just a few short months later I had my own cancer journey to go on.
“It was a real shock and a day I will never forget and after my diagnosis was confirmed I had an operation to remove four fifths of my stomach in July.
“Luckily for me the consultant was able to tell me three weeks later that it was all gone and I didn’t need any chemotherapy or radiotherapy and I could get on with living my life. This has given me a very personal perspective to the work Macmillan does and how they put the patient at the heart of everything.”
Performing the official opening task,AdrianDunbar—freshfrom his success as Superintendent Ted Hastings in BBC drama Line of Duty — was clearly impressed by the new facility.
He said: “Having lived away from Northern Ireland for many years, it’s a very positive experience for me to travel home and see developments like the health and wellbeing campus at Altnagelvin.
“I heard from the Macmillan team that almost one in two of us will face cancer in our lifetime — that’s a staggering statistic.
“It’s so important for people to have the right support at what can be a life-changing time.”