County Hospital: First glimpse of new Stafford chemotherapy unit
These are the first pictures to show what the £2 million chemotherapy unit due to open at County Hospital in Stafford later this year will look like.
The unit, which will treat patients with a variety of cancers, including blood-related cancers such as Leukaemia, Lymphoma and Myeloma, will be more spacious than the current chemotherapy suite, with more privacy.
A new garden will be designed with the help of Macmillan Cancer Support, and it will be visible from the treatment room, as well as the procedure and recovery room.
Matron Sue Malbon said: "At this difficult time in people's lives we want to ensure that the patient experience is optimum in terms of the environment that is comfortable, spacious, and relaxing with ample space for both patients and their visitors.
"It is also important to our staff that the Trust has had the opportunity to improve their working environment.
"The team are very excited about the development of the new unit and are looking forward to being able to advance their service.
"The improved environment will not only benefit patients but relatives and carers alike, improving the experience of treatment. In the near future, with an increase in staff, the unit will be able to open for longer hours, enabling us to see more patients and reduce waiting times."
The opening of the unit is being funded through a record £250 million investment, as part of the creation of the University Hospitals of North Midlands Trust.
The trust is asking for members of the public to suggest a name for the unit.
Kerry Pearson, chemotherapy treatment unit manager at County Hospital, said: "Having worked in the current department for 12 years I have witnessed the growth of the service.
"The new unit environment is a fantastic opportunity to enhance the patients' journey and means a lot to our staff, patients and relatives.
"Therefore, we would like everyone to be involved in choosing a name, which will reflect the character and attributes of the department."
The unit will include a reception and waiting area and a treatment room for 16 patients, with space for visitors and relatives. There will also be private consultation rooms and a room reserved for procedures.
Anyone wishing to put forward a suggestion for the name can do so at the hospital, or email the universityhospital@uhns.nhs.uk. All entries need to be in by May 3.
