Building boost for cancer care

EMMA CURRY

WORK on the new £550,000 chemotherapy and breast care facilities to improve and increase treatment has started at Burnley General Teaching Hospital.

The new facilities, both located in Area 3 next to the existing breast screening service, were partially paid for by £100,000 in public donations following a fundraising campaign by Rosemere Cancer Foundation.

The new unit will provide larger, more modern facilities for women being treated for breast cancer and patients receiving chemotherapy for all cancers.

The chemotherapy area will have seven treatment rooms, a 16-chair observation lounge, a sensory room, a quiet room and a reception and waiting room.

There will also be a counselling room, six consultation and examination rooms and a treatment room.

The Rosemere Cancer Foundation is also funding a prosthetic ‘boutique’, where women undergoing breast cancer treatment can see and try post-surgery swimming costumes, lingerie, wigs and bandanas. Kevin McGee, chief executive at East Lancashire Hospitals NHS Trust, said: “The new chemotherapy and breast care units at Burnley General Teaching Hospital will build on the Trust’s excellent reputation for cancer treatment, as well as speeding up diagnosis and reducing the number of hospital visits’ patients need to make.

“Swift diagnosis and treatment help reduce the anxiety experienced by patients and the devastating impact that cancer can have on individuals and families.

“I especially want to thank the individuals, businesses and organisa- tions who donated so generously to the appeal.”

Sister Angela Holden added: “Today, 30 to 40 people a week receive treatment in the existing 10-chair observation lounge. The new chemotherapy unit, with an extra six chairs and two treatment rooms, allows for the service to be expanded and reduce waiting times.”

If work goes to schedule, the new chemotherapy and breast care unit, part of a planned £18.1 million investment in facilities at Burnley General Teaching Hospital, will be open to patients before the end of the year. ●● Chemotherapy unit staff sister Joanne Kippax, healthcare assistant Julie Carter and sister Angela Holden with construction staff at the unit