Health Minister Opens new £750,000 Cancer Focus NI Regional Therapeutic Support Centre in Enniskillen
Today marks the start of a major shake-up in how cancer care is delivered in Northern Ireland, as the Health Minister Mike Nesbitt MLA has officially opened Cancer Focus NI’s new Regional Therapeutic Cancer Support Centre in Enniskillen.
It is the first of five planned regional centres aimed at providing specialist services closer to home.
Up to 16,000 people in the Western Trust area living with cancer could benefit from the new Cancer Support Centre, which is situated right on Enniskillen’s High Street.
The Centre will offer free practical, emotional and social support for people with cancer and their family and friends. The team is led by experienced nurses ready to provide advice and information with services on offer including breast cancer bra and swimwear fitting, counselling, family support, health promotion activity, and patient driving.
The cost of the project’s design and renovation was £750,000, funded through a combination of Cancer Focus NI’s fundraising activities, and the Department of Health contributing funding of £418,624 awarded through the Cancer Charities Support Fund.
The facilities were opened by Health Minister Mike Nesbitt, Cancer Focus NI supporter, actor Ciaran McMenamin, and the charity’s Chief Executive, Richard Spratt.
Health Minister Mike Nesbitt MLA said,
“It’s a privilege to officially open the new regional Cancer Focus Support Centre in Enniskillen. This facility is more than a building – it’s a beacon of hope, care and connection for people affected by cancer. Today signifies what we can achieve together through collaboration between government, charities and local partners. Together we are working to deliver not just services but better outcomes for patients and their families.
“I want to pay tribute to the incredible staff and volunteers whose compassion, kindness and expertise will be the beating heart of this centre. Their work is nothing short of inspirational and I know this will be a place of comfort, strength and hope for many.
“I am a longtime admirer of the organisation’s CEO Richard Spratt. We are lucky to have him and so many like him providing inspirational leadership and innovative solutions.”
The 4,200 sq ft site, situated at 18 High Street, was completely reimagined and fitted out to include discreet meeting spaces, therapy rooms, comfy seating and a shared kitchen for informal tea, coffee and chats. The building has been designed by Enniskillen architect Chris Allen, in partnership with Cancer Focus NI’s Richard Spratt, whose vision was to create cancer support of the highest quality for people in the Fermanagh area. The whole space has a warm and welcoming aesthetic, with plenty of natural light, warm wood, glass, and plants.
Local cancer survivor Betty Fisher joined Enniskillen-born actor and author, Ciaran McMenamin and Richard Spratt, CEO of Cancer Focus NI for the official opening of the new £750,000 Cancer Focus NI Regional Therapeutic Support Centre on Enniskillen High Street.
Richard Spratt, CEO of Cancer Focus NI said,
“We wanted to create a sanctuary on the High Street for people impacted by cancer: an oasis where people feel they can drop in and be part of a community that understands their needs. The Centre will be an important point of direct local access to our fantastic team and services. As a charity, we’re thrilled with the local support we’ve received from the local community in Fermanagh so far to make our vision a reality.”
Cancer Focus NI has successfully delivered cancer support services and health improvement programmes across Northern Ireland for over 50 years. The Fermanagh Cancer Support Centre marks the start of a new decentralised strategy by the charity, with plans for a total of five local centres across each Trust area.
Richard Spratt explained,
“Enniskillen is the first of five locations being developed as we move to bring our vital support services out to all parts of Northern Ireland. Every day, 37 local people are diagnosed with cancer with 6 of these cases each day coming from the Western Trust. As the number of people living with cancer increases, the right support at the right time becomes even more important. A big part of this is looking after people in their own community and minimising the need for long journeys, particularly at a time when they may be feeling exhausted or overwhelmed.
“This is the start of a new era for people in Northern Ireland affected by cancer and we’re making excellent progress on new facilities in Derry~Londonderry and the greater Belfast area, so watch this space.”
The cost to run the Enniskillen Regional Support Centre’s services will be £1,000 per day, so ongoing fundraising will be an important focus for the charity in the coming years. Cancer Focus NI is planning a further £7million investment into the Centre over the next two decades.
A full programme of support will begin this week (29 May) and services will include Counselling, Family Support, Support Groups including the launch of a new Western Trust Prostate Group, Bra and Swimwear Fitting, health improvement activities (healthy eating, health checks) and patient driving – a door to door transport service from home to hospital for those who cannot travel independently.
Speaking at the opening of the Centre, Enniskillen born actor and author Ciaran McMenamin paid tribute to his late mother, Anne, who campaigned for cancer support services in the local area after her own breast cancer diagnosis. Anne sadly passed away in 2023.
Actor Ciaran McMenamin said,
“Mum would be thrilled to see this centre opening in Enniskillen today. Throughout her professional life as a district nurse, she cared for many cancer patients in our community. In retirement she helped develop, then run the palliative transport services for Fermanagh. So, to see Cancer focus NI promoting the patient driving service is brilliant and volunteers will remain a key part of this service. To have somewhere on the high street where people can walk in and receive the specific care, support and attention that Cancer Focus NI can offer from here now, is remarkable. My mother would be over the moon.”
Local woman, Betty Fisher, a survivor of bowel cancer said:
“One unexpected blessing of going through cancer is that you become part of what I call the “cancer family.” It’s a group you’d never volunteer to join, but once you’re in, the connections are deep and really important. That “family” – other people who’ve walked the same road – plays such a big part in recovery. I truly believe this new Centre will give our cancer family in Fermanagh a home where we can gather, support each other, and move forward together.”
