Most families have reason to be grateful for the work of MacMillan Nurses and Lochaber Rotary enjoyed learning about their service from Lochaber-based Sheila Purdie. While some nurses are designated ‘MacMillan’ all of those involved in this work are part of the Lochaber Cancer Palliative Care Team and are NHS employees. The Team takes referrals from the Belford, from GPs and from Raigmore.
Owing to research driven forward by the charity, MacMillan Cancer Support, the amount of treatment that can be given has increased in recent years, all resulting in an expansion of the Lochaber service from three to seven staff. While MacMillan pays the initial three years of employment, the NHS has continued these posts in their establishment.
Sheila has been involved in the current work that is defining the facilities to be provided in the new Belford Hospital on the Blàr Mòr. The full name of the new hospital project is ‘Lochaber Health and Social Care Redesign’ and so community-based services, such as the Palliative Care Team are part of that.
Various fund-raising efforts take place throughout the year and while UK-wide research is crucial, Rotary learned that should donors want their monies to be used locally, the correct destination would be the Lochaber Cancer Palliative Care Team.
Giving the vote of thanks, Rotarian Sheana Fraser said; “Across Lochaber families are grateful for the work of Sheila’s Palliative Care Team. We have raised funds for MacMillan in the past and I’m sure we’ll continue to do so. I encourage everyone to support them whenever they can”.
