£3m Cancer Care Centre Opts for movemanSKG

People suffering from cancer often have to undergo intensive chemotherapy sessions to fight the disease that can leave them weak and tired. So the beautiful new Maggie’s Cancer Caring Centre, which opened in Swansea earlier this month, installed a Prestige platform lift to allow those affected to access the building’s first floor.

The unit also serves as an access route for the elderly, infirm and others with mobility problems wishing to use the centre’s facilities.

Maggie’s empowers people to live with, through and beyond cancer by bringing together professional help, communities of support and building design to create exceptional centres for cancer care. Its services are free and include benefits and nutrition advice, emotional support, and relaxation therapies such as Tai Chi and Yoga.

Maggie’s has 15 centres that are either built or under construction across the UK. The £3m Swansea building, which overlooks Swansea Bay, is its first purpose-built centre in Wales. Funded by fundraising efforts and a large contribution from the Welsh Assembly, it comprises two stories with large meeting areas, offices, smaller consulting rooms and a library.

In Wales there are currently more than 3,000 cases of cancer diagnosed each month, so the centre will be a valuable resource in the community.

Of course, disabled access is a high priority for the charity and, like any public building; the Maggie’s centre must be Equality Act Compliant. movemanSKG installed Prestige, working alongside other contractors in the process.

The finished unit travels 2.8m between the two levels and carries loads of up to 400kg. It has a large platform, which accommodates a wheelchair user plus an attendant, and with a modern contemporary appearance, blends smartly with the new building.

Debbie Horrigan centre head said: "People who visit us sometimes have problems with their mobility so we pride ourselves in making our facilities accessible to the less able. movemanSKG’s Prestige is a product of true quality. It operates reliably and means those who have difficulty in climbing stairs can make use of our facilities. It also brings our new centre fully into line with the Equality Act."

Prestige has no need for a separate space consuming machine room because the platform lift incorporates all the operating and electrical equipment integrally. Controlled acceleration and deceleration eliminate jolting between landings allowing users to experience a smooth pleasant journey between levels. Users can specify the colour of the lift from a huge range and can add power-operated doors or other accessories.

Prestige comes with three inclusive service visits in the first year of ownership and a twelve month guarantee. It has numerous safety features, making it ideal for use in public venues.