New cancer day unit opens at Good Hope Hospital

The new haematology and oncology day unit at Good Hope Hospital has opened, following a £100,000 investment from Good Hope Hospital Charity which included a £16,000 donation from Friends of Good Hope Hospital which funded an increase in the number of chemotherapy chairs at the hospital from 14 to 24, relieving pressure on the busy oncology ward.

Located in the Sheldon Unit, the new facility provides a light, bright and spacious room for patients to receive treatment and will increase the number of patients who can receive chemotherapy in a single day.

Chief Staff Nurse Mark Chambers welcomed staff and patients along to the unit for the official ribbon cutting and spoke of the difference that the unit will make: “Many of the patients that we treat here at Good Hope need supportive treatments, often alongside chemotherapy, such as blood transfusions, electrolyte treatment or bone strengthening.

“The new space will allow us to carry out these supportive treatments without holding up chemotherapy treatments on the ward. Taking the pressure off the ward will allow other patients to start their treatment earlier.”

Muriel Cheetham has been a patient at Good Hope Hospital for the past 24 years, having previously worked as a midwife, and receives weekly blood transfusions at the hospital. Muriel was guest of honour at the opening of the unit, cutting the ribbon to mark the official opening.

Speaking of the new unit, she said: “The new unit is fantastic, the existing oncology ward is very busy and this will help to take the pressure off them. It’s a lovely space with a nice outlook and I know that my fellow patients will appreciate the space. The team here at Good Hope Hospital are all fantastic and I have been incredibly well looked after over the past 24 years.”

Laura Power, Fundraising Manager at Good Hope Hospital Charity said: “The Charity is delighted to have been able to fund the renovation of this unit, alongside Friends of Good Hope Hospital. Thanks to the generosity of Charity supporters, we have been able to fund this new facility that will improve the quality of care on offer here at the hospital.”

If you’d like more information about how Good Hope Hospital Charity supports patients, please go to www.goodhopehospital.org.uk or call 0121 371 4852.