Walsall Manor Hospital gets new state-of-the-art hub to battle cancer
People will be able to access advice and information on cancer at a hospital in the Black Country after a state-of-the-art information hub was installed.
The new hub has been built inside Walsall Manor after being developed by both Macmillan, the cancer charity, and Walsall Healthcare NHS Trust, which runs the Manor Hospital.
The £30,000 hub is based in the patients' corridor of the hospital meaning patients and their families, friends or carers can all access the range of information and support.
It also features a private consultation area, storage for resources and an office.
The information available will range from treatment options and advice on managing symptoms to financial support.
Kashmir Maur, the manager of the hub, said: “This is a fantastic resource for the Trust and will be a real help to patients who need timely access to the information and range of services that can support them at a difficult period in their lives.
“A cancer diagnosis doesn’t just affect someone’s health; it also has an impact on so many other areas of their lives and the lives of their families and carers. People don’t need to make an appointment – they can pop along to the hub throughout the week and know that experts will be on hand to talk to them.”
Lorien Barber, Macmillan’s partnership manager in the Black Country, added: ‘It’s great news that we’ve been able to work with Walsall Healthcare NHS Trust to make this pod a reality.
“The service will help people affected by cancer navigate the complex process of being diagnosed with and treated for cancer, and cope with the impact it has on their life.”
It is hoped by bosses that this will be another step towards getting the trust out of special measures after an inadequate CQC rating last January.
Recently, staff at Walsall Manor Hospital have been told to take their ‘chance to shine’ when the upcoming CQC re-inspection comes around.
Chief executive Richard Kirby says the trust is expecting its next inspection ‘in the near future’ and has urged staff to showcase improvements made in the last 18 months when the moment arrives.
The hub in Walsall Manor Hospital is open Monday to Friday from 9am until 4pm.
