Health Minister launches new cancer care project in Omagh

AN innovative new project which aims to improve the lives of people affected by cancer across the Western Trust area was launched by the Health Minister in Omagh this week.

The project brings together six charities and community and voluntary sector organisations to connect people affected by cancer to each other, to provide support in the community and to link them to the people who deliver cancer services so they can use their experiences to make improvements.

The first of its kind in the North, the project has been developed with the award of a £465,000 grant from the National Lottery Community Fund. The project covers the entirety of the Western Trust’s geography through the involvement of the following partner organisations: Action Cancer, Advice North West, Cancer Focus NI, Care for Cancer Omagh and Fermanagh-based charity Supported We Live Life (SWELL).

Speaking at the launch, Minister for Health, Robin Swann, said, “As part of my department’s Cancer Strategy we have developed a Cancer Recovery Plan, Building Back Rebuilding Better, which is focused on both recovering and improving cancer services while highlighting the need to adopt and build upon the innovative ways to deliver services. This project fits well with that aim and illustrates the collaboration between HSC organisations, across sectors and with patients, families and carers that will be a key enabler to effecting meaningful change.”

Minister Swann was joined by Western Trust Chief Executive, Neil Guckian, who said, “I am delighted to see these groups working together to connect and maximise their capability. Through the use of this approach, together we will build a healthier, integrated and more inclusive community in line with Health and Wellbeing 2026 enabling people to stay well for longer.

“The launch of this innovative project demonstrates the strong relationships that exist among our partner organisations.

“It will also give the opportunity to build upon our support to patients and their families impacted by cancer.

“Over the next three years, through the delivery of this initiative, we hope to demonstrate further what can be achieved through true collaborative working and by forging strong relationships between the Western Trust and our partner organisations.

“Ultimately it will be patients and their families that benefit and it is our hope that it will also lead to the delivery of stronger patient care in the months and years ahead.”