More difficult chemo cases will move to Crosshouse
Department was soon overcome by the friendly reception and care of every single nurse and all the staff at Station 15.
“To be honest, I soon looked forward to my afternoons at the station – equipped with a couple of books, chatting with fellow patients and listening to their stories, being looked after by the wonderful nurses, receiving excellent treatment both medically as well as emotionally, I always felt safe and in good hands.
“Nothing was too much trouble, comfort always a priority, hot and cold drinks on offer whenever desired... no, it is not a hotel but a small narrow space where nurses work very hard and under difficult circumstances. They are kept very busy, but never lose their patience, their temper.
“I live very close to Ayr Hospital – 10 minutes by car if traffic allows it. Whenever I had a problem my husband would drive me to Station 15 and I always received friendly advice and help. I was very lucky. However, I soon realised how difficult it is for patients living quite a distance away to attend. Travelling, for instance, from Girvan and further south makes it a long journey at a time when you don’t feel well. After a long session of treatment you just want to get home and rest. It is even more difficult for patients who do not drive but have to rely on patients’ transport.
“To expect them to travel even further to Crosshouse Hospital is not acceptable, it is cruel. It is a decision made at a desk or in committee, without due consideration for the patients.
“Station 15 is excellent, but with more space and more equipment it could be even better, making life easier for the busy, dedicated nurses and staff.
“To downgrade the station would be a great loss for vulnerable patients in Ayr and South Ayrshire.
“A plea to the decision makers: Please, please keep Station 15 as it is!”
A MP has met with the health board to discuss proposals to downgrade Station 15 at Ayr Hospital.
Dr Philippa Whitford, a former breast surgeon, inisted they gave her assuarances there were no plans to shut ward 15
The Central Ayrshire MP, who lives in Troon, told the Post:“What they are working towards is providing in- patient chemotherapy at Crosshouse as focussing such cases in one place, would allow more robust medical cover and allow repatriation of some of the most complex patients who currently have to be admitted for treatment in the Beatson.
“Allowing such patients to have this challenging treatment in Ayrshire is not possible without sufficient medical cover, 24 hours a day, and that is difficult to provide when staff are spread thinly over two sites.
“I have been reassured that the more usual Day- Case Chemotherapy would continue to be provided at Ayr from 8am to 8pm and this should cover the bulk of therapeutic chemo. Some more difficult cases would move from Ayr to Crosshouse if the patient needed to be admitted for an inpatient chemotherapy stay.”