Not everybody knows this...

Douglas Macmillan Hospice is an independent local charity for people living in and around North Staffordshire, who face cancer or other life limiting illnesses. We rely on voluntary donations and some support from local Primary Care Trusts.  We do not receive any funding from national charities or those with a similar name.

Why are we called Douglas Macmillan Hospice?

The Hospice was named after Douglas Macmillan (pictured left). Douglas Macmillan was born in 1884and at the age of 27 he witnessed the devastating effect of throat cancer on his father.  He watched his father die enduring great pain and suffering from the cancer and Douglas thought this was quite needless.  He was so moved that he went on to form The Society for the Prevention and Relief of Cancer; which became the National Society for Cancer Relief in 1924.

In 1969 the Society gave a grant of £50,000 to set up The Douglas Macmillan Home (now known as The Douglas Macmillan Hospice); and the Trustees welcomed the first patient in 1973.

In 1989 the Society changed it’s name to Macmillan Cancer Relief and in 2006 re-branded to become Macmillan Cancer Support.

What is a Macmillan Nurse?

A Macmillan Nurse is a clinical nurse specialist, in cancer or palliative care. They offer expert nursing interventions together with advice, support and information on treatment to patients and their families. This expertise is available from diagnosis onwards. Some Macmillan Nurses choose to specialise in specific cancers, while others specialise in palliative care either in a community or hospital setting. These nurses are called, ”badged” Macmillan Nurses by Macmillan Cancer Support to afford recognition of their achieved level of excellence in cancer care and support.

Many of the nurses who work for the Douglas Macmillan Hospice have chosen to be ‘badged’ as Macmillan Nurses by Macmillan Cancer Support. The Hospice receives no funding for these nurses from Macmillan Cancer Support, but the nurses have access to free training and seminars run by Macmillan Cancer Support and feel it is an honor to carry the name Macmillan Nurse.

Douglas Macmillan Hospice holds Macmillan Cancer Support in high regard; they are a valuable source of support for people living with cancer in North Staffordshire by providing hardship grants, for such things as travel expenses and holidays; they will also provide equipment grants for items like cookers and washing machines.

There is a need for both organisations, local people benefit from the way we work together.