NEWS RELEASE For Immediate Use 19 October 2009 MURDO VISITS CORNHILL MACMILLAN CENTRE A parliamentary motion has been lodged in the Scottish Parliament welcoming the opening of the Cornhill Macmillan Centre in Perth. Mid-Scotland and Fife MSP Murdo Fraser toured the new specialist facility today (19 October) with Macmillan staff ahead of the centre opening to in-patients in November. The parliamentary motion, lodged by Murdo Fraser, reads: “That the Parliament welcomes the opening of the new Cornhill Macmillan Centre in Perth, a new specialist palliative care unit for the use of people in Perth and Kinross; congratulates and gives thanks to all those who helped Macmillan Cancer Support raise the £3.775 million required for the specialist facilities; notes that the centre will provide a range of day care and inpatient services, including symptom control, rehabilitation and end-of-life care, as well as offer support to families and carers, and recognises the life-changing work carried out by Macmillan Cancer Support and the care and dedication that all Macmillan nurses and staff provide to individuals and their families.” Murdo is a supporter of Macmillan Cancer Support, having held a coffee morning for the charity earlier in the month at his Scone office to raise funds for the charity. Commenting, Murdo said: “The new Cornhill Macmillan Centre in Perth will give specialist palliative care for people in Perth & Kinross. I commend every one involved in fundraising for this important facility and it is tremendous that £3.775 million has been raised in such a short space of time. It goes to show the importance that people in Perth & Kinross attach to this specialist centre and the respect they have for Macmillan Cancer Support. “This new unit will be very important to patients and their families. At present, patients have had to travel to Dundee for specialist care. With this new unit, patients will not have to travel as far to receive care and their families will be able to make a shorter journey to visit them as well. “My parliamentary motion allows MSPs to show their gratitude and thanks to Macmillan and every one who donated towards Cornhill Macmillan Centre.” ENDS   back to top of page