one of Scotland's busiest cancer wards gets £2.6m revamp to aid patients
- From: J <nexsw@nvalid,anon>
- Date: Mon, 05 Feb 2007 18:20:28 -0500
http://news.scotsman.com/scotland.cfm?id=190672007 Mon 5 Feb 2007
Cancer ward gets £2.6m revamp to aid patients
LINDA SUMMERHAYES HEALTH REPORTER (lsummerhayes@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx)
PATIENTS at one of Scotland's busiest cancer wards are to benefit from a
refurbished £2.6 million treatment centre which opens today.
The project was launched after ward one of the Edinburgh Cancer Centre at
the Western General Hospital became overcrowded due to huge rises in
patient numbers.
It opens after generous backers of the charity Macmillan Cancer Support
raised £600,000 to make the centre as comfortable as possible.
NHS Lothian's head of service for cancer care, Elizabeth Preston, said:
"We needed to enhance the environment for patients as the patient areas
were cramped and there were limited facilities for private consultation.
"Receiving chemotherapy is an extremely anxious time for patients and
their families, and while a lot of attention goes into preparing patients,
their first visit is daunting.
"This extra space will allow room for private consultations to take place,
which is extremely important if patients have any questions during the
course of their treatment."
The building will now be renamed the Macmillan Day Treatment Centre and
around 100 patients a day will use it at first.
This number is expected to soar as the population ages and patients live
longer with cancer, needing to return to hospital repeatedly for longer
periods.
The refurbishment, which took seven months to complete, will also bring an
end to patients facing cancer treatment alone, as there will be enough
space for their loved ones to stay with them.
Previously, the wards would become so busy relatives had to leave to free
up seats for patients who had arrived for treatment.
Patients were also consulted about how the building should be designed and
were involved in tests to determine the most comfortable seating.
Simon Henderson, head of Macmillan's cancer environments, said every
effort had been made to make the building as comfortable as possible.
He said: "From changing the way a patient responds to treatment, to
helping ease stress and anxiety, the role of buildings cannot be
underestimated. Research has shown that by manipulating the environment of
a building, whether via furnishings or space and light, staff and patients
feel more positive in their outlook."
The extension was funded by the Scottish Executive, NHS Lothian's
charitable Endowments Fund and the Macmillan Edinburgh Appeal.
The charity now hopes school groups and businesses will help it raise an
additional £35,000 so support services provided by Macmillan nurses at the
hospital can continue.
Macmillan fundraising manager Joanne Barkey said: "This is an exciting day
for Macmillan as it reflects the huge commitment of the people of
Edinburgh to help those affected by cancer.
"Macmillan's supporters have made this marvellous project a reality as a
result of their dedication to fundraising. Our work will continue within
Edinburgh with many more exciting projects planned at the Western."
The old place really didn't inspire you
BUSINESSWOMAN Sheila Grieve experienced first-hand how crowded the wards
of the Edinburgh Cancer Centre can become.
The 63-year-old, of Baberton Mains, was a regular visitor last year after
being diagnosed with breast cancer.
Following an operation in March, Mrs Grieve returned frequently for chemo
and radiotherapy aimed at ensuring the cancer had been eradicated.
Mrs Grieve, who runs a hat hire business, said: "My first impression was
that the ward felt like an old folks' home.
"Everyone was very nice but there were lots of chairs in rows against the
wall and the place really didn't inspire you.
"There was no place for visitors and my husband Ernie, who has been a big
support, would come with me but would end up standing outside."
Mrs Grieve, who has now been given the all-clear, thinks more comfortable
treatment areas will help patients keep their spirits up and help them
beat cancer.
She added: "You need to feel positive and need to feel that you have some
kind of control. I think this will go some way to help."
.
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