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August 4, 2025

“Please support the service that enabled our husband and brother to spend his last, treasured days at home.” The family of James Barber, a young Christchurch father who spent his final days surrounded by loved ones thanks to expert hospice care at home, is urging the public to support the Hospice at Home service that made this possible. James was just 37 when he died of bladder cancer in 2023. Thanks to the Hospice at Home team, he was able to remain in the comfort of his own home, close to his wife and baby daughter, receiving the care he needed with dignity and compassion. Now,...

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April 29, 2025

To celebrate the 50th anniversary of our charity we invited Dr Ronnie Fisher's daughters to visit our Hospice the Macmillan Unit (in the photo Debbie and Teresa sat with Trust Secretary Neal Williams).  Debbie and Teresa were last at the Macmillan Unit when they were much younger, and they remember with fondness and pride the hard work their father put into fundraising for, setting up and then running the Macmillan Unit - the first of its kind in the country, opening in 1974. We had a very pleasant morning sat in the Hospice garden sharing photographs, press cuttings and memories (the...

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February 12, 2025

As we approach Spring and hints of better weather, we are thrilled to announce a series of exciting events and challenges designed to bring our community together and raise vital funds for our cause. Whether you're an adrenaline junkie, a nature lover, or someone who enjoys a good cup of coffee, there's something for everyone. Here’s a sneak peek at what’s coming up: Car Boot Sale - 15 March 2025 Kick off the spring season by decluttering your home and finding hidden treasures at our Car Boot Sale. It's a fantastic opportunity to meet fellow supporters and contribute to a great cause. Skydive  For...

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May 21, 2024

(This is an article published by the History of Anaesthesia Society in 1995. It records the history of the events leading up to the opening of the Macmillan Unit, and the pioneering work of our founder, Dr Ronald Fisher) Dr Ronald Fisher, Anaesthetist and Hospice pioneer by Dr M A Skivington, retired Consultant Anaesthetist, Royal Bournemouth Hospital Dr Ronald Albert Fisher was born on 3rd June 1917 and educated at Heversham School, Cumbria, Downing College Cambridge and the Middlesex Hospital, London, qualifying in 1943. He then became a Surgeon Lieutenant in the Royal Navy, first on convoy duties in the Western Approaches, then in Russian...

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December 14, 2023

https://youtu.be/9Z2FDj-IMSI MND Study Day On November 17th, Jane Martin, MND Nurse Specialist and the MMU MND Team , provided a Dorset Wide Study Day on Motor Neurone Disease at the Marsham Court Hotel, Bournemouth. . The day was attended by 120 health and social care professionals from across Dorset & Hampshire to improve both management & support from diagnosis to end of life for people with MND locally. The day was supported by both MacMillan caring Locally and the East Dorset & New Forest MNDA. Subjects covered diagnosis and symptoms, swallowing difficulties, respiratory support , environmental controls developments, psychological care and the difficult...

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September 6, 2023

Lisa Wetton, Dylan Wetton, and QEDG Management hosted a memorial concert in memory of John Wetton (King Crimson, Family, Roxy Music, Uriah Heep, Wishbone Ash, UK, Asia) on August 3rd, 2023 at Trading Boundaries in East Sussex.   Although this was a private event the Wetton Family were delighted to invite John’s loyal fans to be part of this very special evening by enjoying the concert via a live stream. The event saw friends and family of the late lead singer and guitarist gather together to celebrate the life of this extraordinary musician.  An all-star line-up of legends, who were friends and collaborators of Wetton’s, performed songs from throughout his...

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June 21, 2022

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June 15, 2022

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January 25, 2022

A very warm welcome to 2022 from everyone at Macmillan Caring Locally! We hope you had a relaxing and enjoyable festive season and the New Year finds you well. You may have noticed that our blog page has been a little quiet over the last few months but there has been plenty going on and this post will give you all the detail you need to catch up with recent activity and also get an insight into our plans for the coming year. As ever, you wonderful people have continued to support our hospice team with some fabulous fundraising activities and for...

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June 1, 2021

As many of us are taking stock of the last 14 months and looking to brighter days ahead, the team at the Mac Unit are looking to the next few months and making tentative plans around events and activities with a real hope in our hearts that we will be able to see all of you again soon. It’s been such a difficult time and many are understandably concerned about returning to social contact and larger groups. We would be so interested to hear from you, our valued supporters, about how you feel and if you are keen to start taking...

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For further information about “Macmillan Caring Locally” please write to:

Neal Williams, Trust Secretary, Macmillan Caring Locally, The Macmillan Unit, Christchurch Hospital, Fairmile Road, Christchurch, Dorset, BH23 2JX

Email: neal@macmillanlocal.org

Macmillan Unit Ward at Christchurch Hospital

Patient Enquiries: 0300 019 5470

Charity office: 01202 477628

Fundraising enquiries: lin@macmillanlocal.org

Privacy Policy

Links

University Hospitals Dorset

Cruse Bereavement Care

Mosaic Family Support

West Christchurch Resident’s Association

inDorset

Phoenix Widowers Fellowship

fundraising regulator

Patient referrals to our service have tripled in the last ten years.The existing Macmillan Unit was built in 1974 and is now far too small for the number of people under our care. We have been setting aside funds to build a new Unit for many years. We have managed to raise £5m so far, but a new Unit is estimated at £9m.

Our patients receive the best possible care from our dedicated team of professionals and volunteers. Help us to provide them with the best possible facilities too.

Please help us in any way you can to reach this goal, so that we can start the build.

Help Us…

© 2025 Copyright Macmillan Caring Locally. All Rights Reserved. Registered Charity No. 1189412. Website Maintained by Rejuvenate IT.

List of pharmacies 

 Pharmacy name and address

Phone Number

100 hour pharmacy

 Locality

Asda Pharmacy

St Pauls Road, Bournemouth,BH8 8DL

01202 298900

Yes

Bournemouth East

Castle Lane Pharmacy
482 Castle Lane West Bournemouth, BH8 9UD

01202 772110

Yes

Bournemouth West

Ferndown Pharmacy
487 Ringwood Road, Ferndown, BH22 9AG

01202 892666

Yes

East Dorset

Tesco Extra Pharmacy
Yarrow Road, Mannings Heath Poole, BH12 4NX

01202 457447 or 01202 367447

Yes

Parkstone

Asda Pharmacy
West Quay Road, Poole, BH15 1JQ

01202 207000

Yes

Poole Central

Equipment – www.redcross.org.uk Is useful for wheelchairs and other equipment

Guide for people nearing end stage of life : https://intranet.rbch.nhs.uk/uploads/palliative/documents/What-to-Expect.pdf

Brief Drugs List for GPs

 

Pain/breathlessness:

Morphine sulphate 2.5-5mg SC PRN (10mg in 1ml injection)

(alternative if taking PO or eGFR<30 – Oxycodone 1 – 2.5mg SC PRN (10mg in 1ml injection))

[Please take background opioid into account when prescribing doses for anticipatories]

Anxiety/distress:

Midazolam 2.5-5mg SC PRN (10mg in 2ml injection)

Secretions:

Glycopyrronium 200mcg SC PRN (600mcg in 3ml injection)

(alternative for secretions: Hyoscine Butylbromide 20mg/ml injection)

Nausea :

Levomepromazine 6.25mg SC PRN (25mg in 1ml injection)

(alternative for nausea: Haloperidol 1.5mg SC PRN (5mg in 1ml injection)

Water for injection

Dexamethasone 3.3mg SC OD-BD (equivalent to 4mg PO) if risk of steroid withdrawal/Addisons during terminal phase.

Day/Time Example Timetable
Monday – AM

9am MMU Ward Hand over; 9:30am Tour of MMU

10m Consultant Ward Round, MMU
Monday – PM

12pm Ward Nurses – syringe driver administration (treatment room)

1:30 Nursing Handover – MMU (ward office)

MMU – Admission Assessment(s) with ward doctor
Tuesday – AM

9am Ward Hand over

9:20am Referrals Meeting on MMU

10am Community visiting with Specialist Nurse
Tuesday – PM

12:30 Journal Club – MMU (doctors office)

2pm Introduction to Patient and Family Support Team

3pm Introduction to Welfare and benefits Advisor
Wednesday – AM

9am Ward Hand over

9:20am Referrals Meeting on MMU

10am Consultant ward round – MMU
Wednesday – PM

2pm Doctor/Nurse Home Visit with Specialty Doctor
Thursday – AM

9:15am Multi-Disciplinary Team Meeting on MMU
Thursday – PM

2pm Introduction to Palliative Rehabilitation with Physiotherapist

3pm Introduction to Complex Discharge Planning in terminal illness
Friday – AM

Hospital Palliative Care Team Ward Visits
Friday – PM

2pm Introduction to Personalised Care Plan for the Last Days of Life with End of Life Care Nurse

4pm Debrief / sign off