'Gold standard' cancer unit opens at Weston Park Hospital

CANCER patients living in Sheffield and beyond now have more opportunities to beat the disease thanks to the opening of a brand new research and treatment suite at Weston Park Hospital.

The unit, funded through Weston Park Hospital Cancer Charity’s £1.3m ‘Do Your Bit’ campaign and the tremendous support of Westfield Health and Yorkshire Cancer Research, will provide patients with ‘gold standard’ cancer treatments and facilities in a warm and welcoming environment.

Weston Park Hospital is one of only four dedicated cancer hospitals in the country and treats patients from all over South Yorkshire, North Nottinghamshire and North Derbyshire – a population of almost 1.8million people. Cancer patients from as far afield as Liverpool and Middlesbrough also use the unit.

The light and airy purpose-built suite, located on the first floor of Weston Park Hospital, will give even more patients opportunities to take part in life-changing cancer research studies.

Incorporating a new reception and waiting area, the new, expanded suite will be able to treat twice the number of patients as was previously possible, giving even more patients access to pioneering drugs and treatments.

The number of cancer patients taking part in clinical trials in Sheffield has dramatically increased over the past few years, with one in five patients taking part in clinical trials in 2014 compared to one in 25 in 2000.

The bright, airy suite includes a main treatment area with 10 comfortable, reclining chairs for patients having cancer treatments that may last for several hours and a new private consulting room, which gives additional space for hospital staff to talk to and assess patients and give the latest information about chemotherapy treatments and research.

There are also two private bedrooms, including one with en-suite facilities, for any patients benefiting from new treatments who need to stay in the unit for longer periods of time.

It is to be officially opened today (2 July) at 5pm by Sarah Stevenson MBE, an Olympic medallist and taekwondo world champion.

Professor Rob Coleman, Director of the Sheffield Cancer Research Centre, Academic Unit of Clinical Oncology, Weston Park Hospital, said: “We are delighted that this new treatment suite has opened its doors to patients.The new facilities really are the ‘gold standard’ in cancer care, and would not have been possible without the incredible generosity of members of the public, Weston Park Hospital Cancer Charity, Yorkshire Cancer Research and Westfield Health. Thanks to the opening of this new suite, patients in the region will now have even more opportunities to take part in pioneering national and international cancer research, paving the way for better treatments and care in South Yorkshire and beyond.”

Samantha Kennedy, Director of Weston Park Hospital Cancer Charity, said: “We’ve been absolutely bowled over by the support of members of the public for this new research and treatment suite.

“I’d also like to thank our partners, Westfield Health and Yorkshire Cancer Research, who together with Weston Park Hospital Cancer Charity, pledged huge amounts of money towards this campaign, which really highlights the incredible joint efforts of the region’s cancer charities and Westfield Health.”

Tony Pedder, Chair of Sheffield Teaching Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust said: “We are very fortunate to have such fantastic support from our Cancer Charity, Yorkshire Cancer Research, Westfield health, patients, the public and local companies. Weston Park Hospital is one of four dedicated cancer hospitals, recognised locally as a leader in cancer research and treatment, and this new unit will enable even more patients from across the region to access the latest advances in care.”

Lynne Levey, 65, of Fulwood who is suffering with ovarian cancer says the new research and treatment suite at Weston Park Hospital has made a “massive difference” to her life.

Lynne said: “I was absolutely blown away by how peaceful and calm the unit was, and meeting new people on the unit has really helped. Cancer is a club that no-one wants to join, but I’m a great believer in positivity because it’s the only way forward.

“When I first came to the new research and treatment suite I didn’t know what to expect, but from the moment I sat down everyone was so kind and I knew I was going to be well looked after.

“The new suite is so calming and peaceful, and everything is so well thought through – the comfy chairs and the restful decor just helps to make the treatment easier.”

As well as coming in every week for chemotherapy, the new research and treatment suite has given Lynne an opportunity to take part in cutting-edge research.

“I was asked about taking part in a clinical trial, and I thought if people like me hadn’t tested new cancer drugs and treatments in the past years ago, we wouldn’t be in the position we are now in with cancer treatments,” added the grandma-of-three, “We’re all really well monitored, and it’s such a small and intimate place where you get to meet people from all over the country that I feel so lucky to have this service down the road in Sheffield.”

Phase 1 of the project has been funded by the ‘Do Your Bit’ campaign, which was launched by Weston Park Hospital Cancer Charity in May 2012. Sheffield-based not-for-profit health insurance provider, Westfield Health, kick-started the campaign with an initial £100,000 donation, and pledged to match public donations, pound for pound, up to a further £250,000. Weston Park Hospital Cancer Charity raised £350,000 and Yorkshire Cancer Research donated £300,000.

NOTES TO EDITORS:


CONTACTS:

Sheffield Teaching Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust
Claudia Blake, Communications Specialist
Tel: 0114 226 5033 Email: claudia.blake@sth.nhs.uk
 


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