The Nightingale Macmillan Unit is a specialist palliative care unit of the cancer
services directorate of the Derbyshire Royal Infirmary, London Road,
Derby.
Opened in 1985 by HRH The Duchess of Kent, it is housed in the former
maternity unit across the road from the main hospital which was converted
with 'pump-priming' funding from the Macmillan Cancer Relief and monies
raised locally.
Since its inception the unit has been extended and expanded to form an
integrated specialist palliative care service.
It now offers comprehensive facilities for 15 in-patients with
facilities for a further 15 patients on a day-care basis, a lymphoedema
clinic plus out-patient and volunteer home sitting services and a Home
Care team comprising of the consultants, the Unit's social worker and
community Macmillan Nurses.
The Unit also acts as a cancer and palliative care resource centre
providing information and research material as well as education and
training for nursing staff.
