New cancer centre officially opens at Solihull Hospital

The new Haematology and Oncology Day Unit at Solihull Hospital has opened. Solihull Hospital Charity raised £150,000 towards the unit, helping individuals that are currently receiving cancer treatments.

The new facility provides more peace and comfort for the patients that receive treatments and is a far lighter and brighter environment for them. Previously, patients from Solihull were required to travel to Ward 19 at Heartlands Hospital which treats over 8,000 patients annually, across 17 chemotherapy spaces.

The new chemotherapy centre will see a ward at Solihull Hospital renovated to a state of the art facility with up to 31 new chemotherapy spaces, increasing the number of patients that can be seen by 170%.

Consultant haematologist Dr Shankara Paneesha, who works at Ward 19, said: “It is important for our patients to be able to access services in the most comfortable way possible. The new unit at Solihull Hospital will provide a convenient and comfortable environment for patients to receive their treatment, which is a great step forward.”

The Charity helped to provide the unit with newly refurbished equipment to tailor individual treatment pathways for patients.

To celebrate the opening of the Haematology and Oncology Day Unit, local celebrities came to show their support and gratitude, one of which was Tony Iommi. Tony, lead guitarist for Black Sabbath was diagnosed with Non-Hodgkin’s Lymphoma back in 2012. Iommi is a patron to Ward 19 at Heartlands and regularly shows his support for the doctors and nurses who treat those with cancer.

Justine Davy, Head of Fundraising at Solihull Hospital said: “The Charity is delighted to have been able to provide a substantial contribution towards this Unit. With the generosity of its supporters, the Charity has been able to fund this amazing facility as well as the quality of care and overall attention to detail that makes the patient’s time here as comfortable as possible”

If you’d like more information about how Solihull Hospital Charity supports patients, please click here.