Publish date: 12 August 2026
The Macmillan Cancer Information and Support Centre at our hospital has achieved the highest possible rating in a national quality award, recognising outstanding environments for people affected by cancer.
The Centre has achieved the maximum mark of five out of five across all assessment areas, improving on its previous score, whilst also retaining its Macmillan Quality Environment Mark (MQEM) accreditation.
Emma Brown, Macmillan Centre Manager and Senior Physiotherapist at Portsmouth Hospitals University NHS Trust shared her gratitude for the recognition, as well as her team saying: "I am extremely proud of this achievement as I know how hard all of our staff and volunteers work to make the centre as welcoming as possible for anyone that walks through our door.
"Patients and their loved ones spend so much of their time in a clinical setting, that having this calm oasis is often a welcome sanctuary. We were able to have a total refurbishment a few years ago, thanks to a very generous gift in the will of one of our oncology patients to our Portsmouth Hospitals Charity fund which has really helped us score highly."
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The MQEM is the first award of its category in the UK and recognises cancer care environments that go above and beyond to provide welcoming, safe, and supportive spaces for people living with cancer. Developed in collaboration with those affected by cancer and stakeholders such as the Department of Health, the MQEM award celebrates centres delivering high quality, person-centred care.
Emma added: "I would like to thank every single one of our 51 volunteers and our Centre staff, as the environment can only provide so much comfort- the rest is purely down to them."
Assessors found that the Centre had exceeded the standards required to retain the award, recognising the welcoming environment, thoughtfully designed facilities, and the strong commitment to supporting patients, carers, and families. They also praised the wide range of support services offered, well-managed spaces allowing for both privacy and social interactions, and the positive experience it can provide for those affected by cancer.
The Macmillan Cancer Information and Support Centre has a wide range of free services on offer for anyone affected by cancer, from counselling and complimentary therapies to wellbeing activities and financial advice, as well as hair loss clinics, survivorship support and much more.
Feedback from service users highlighted the Centre's welcoming atmosphere. comfortable environment and the support provided by staff and volunteers, describing it as "relaxing, comfortable, homely and calming". Many described it as a reassuring space away from the clinical environment, where they could access information, meet other and receive support when they needed it.
Families and carers can also access, recognising that a cancer diagnosis also affects those close to the patient.
Anyone affected by cancer is welcome to visit the Macmillan Information and Support Centre at QA Hospital. To find out more information about the Centre, please visit https://