On Tuesday 24 June, Dartford and Gravesham NHS Trust celebrated its grand opening of its second Macmillan Systemic Anti-Cancer Therapy (SACT) Outreach clinic site at the Manor Hotel in Gravesend, Kent.
The Trust was joined by the Mayor of Dartford, Cllr Peter Whapshott, who officially opened the site with a ceremonial ribbon cutting along with senior Macmillan leaders Kate Regan and Rachel Pedder. They were accompanied by current chemotherapy patients and key stakeholders from the Trust who contributed to the project, all coming together to celebrate this significant achievement.
As the population around Darent Valley Hospital continues to grow and patients are living longer with cancer due to earlier diagnosis and greater access to newer and more innovative cancer treatments, the Trust acknowledged it needed to transform its hospital-based cancer service. New treatments with fewer, more predictable side effects available, oral medication and subcutaneous injections can now be delivered outside the Trust’s chemotherapy day unit, Pine Therapy Unit.
In 2023, Dartford & Gravesham NHS Trust was successful in their bid from Macmillan Cancer Support to develop a new Outreach service to continue to provide high quality cancer treatment in the community. Building on the success of its first SACT Outreach site at Queen Mary’s Hospital in Sidcup, opened in October 2024, the Trust is extremely pleased to have launched the second site in Gravesend in April 2025. Cancer treatment is now available across three locations, significantly enhancing patient choice and experience.
Findings from our patient surveys/engagement events showed that patients wanted to be treated closer to home with stress-free parking. These views were taken into account when setting up the two sites: Manor Hotel in Gravesend and at the Queen Mary’s Hotel in Sidcup. Both offer treatment within a more relaxed clinical environment, providing stress-free access and free parking.
Meena Midda, Macmillan Project Manager said: “Our objectives were clear: to provide safe, effective cancer treatment & care closer to home, improving patient’s experience and reducing waiting times by providing additional capacity to meet the growing demand.
Nicola Keena, Macmillan Lead Chemotherapy Nurse added: “The Queen Mary’s Hospital in ready-to-use clinical rooms, in a traditional Outpatient setting with ample parking. This site provides easy access for patients living in the Sidcup, Bexley and surrounding areas.
The Manor Hotel in Gravesend provides a comfortable and safe environment for both patients and clinical staff. Furthermore, there is ample free parking. Our patients have praised the professionalism, kindness, and dedication of our staff, as well as the efficient and caring service provided across our treatment sites. Here are just a few of the positive comments we’ve received.”
Laura Davis, Senior Outreach Nurse introduced the SACT team; Sonia Hunt, Carol Harvey and Rumana Khatun and said: “Since opening our doors here at the Manor Hotel in April this year, over 300 appointments have been delivered, including pre-chemotherapy assessments, blood tests, supportive treatments and holistic needs assessments. When combined with the activity at Queen Mary Hospital, we delivered more than 940 appointments which have benefited over 200 patients”
Marie Payne, Macmillan Lead Cancer Nurse added: “I am standing proud, bringing chemotherapy closer to people’s homes has been a long aspiration of mine and believe patients should have vital access to treatment that is more convenient, less stressful and closer to their support networks. Today, seeing this project come to life I feel a deep sense of achievement and hope and can already see the positive impact it will have on our community.”
Rachel Pedder, Strategic Engagement and Improvement Manager and Kate Regan, Professional Improvement Lead at Macmillan Cancer Support said: “At Macmillan, we believe in doing whatever it takes for people affected by cancer, that means delivering care that is not just clinically.”
Dartford and Gravesham NHS Trust is extremely proud to be the first Trust in Kent and Medway to offer such a pioneering SACT chemotherapy service in the community. This achievement positions us strongly in line with the new NHS 10-year plan to expand community-based care.
It’s a proud moment for everyone involved, and the SACT Outreach team have enjoyed sharing their journey!