17 September 2014
Hundreds of cancer patients in Jersey are benefiting from the new Oncology-Haematology Department at the hospital, which has been officially opened.
Work has been completed over 12 months on the £3 million project to provide a better quality of facilities and environment for patients in Jersey who require chemotherapy and associated treatments.
Previously, care for cancer patients was delivered across two sites at opposite ends of the hospital. The upgrade enables the department to function as one designated unit, enabling the highly skilled and dedicated team of doctors and nurses to work more effectively in caring for oncology and haematology patients on a single designated site.
Dedicated treatment area for chemotherapy and associated treatments
Divided into two clinical areas, the department has:
- four clinic rooms
- a large open plan treatment area
- two single side rooms
The service has significantly increased over the last year and on average delivers chemotherapy for 380 patients per year across the full spectrum of cancers.
An average of around 60 patients use the department each week and patients will typically attend every three weeks on average and will receive treatment across several months.
Supported by a number of organisations
The official opening was carried out today by Deputy Anne Pryke, the Minister for Health and Social Services.
In addition to States funding, the project has been generously supported by a number of organisations, including:
- Jersey Cancer Trust, which has donated 10 new treatment chairs and two examination couches
- Friends of Jersey Oncology (FOJO), which has provided funding for free wi-fi in the unit, possible video conferencing facilities and welcome packs for new patients, and has been supported by a number of Jersey organisations, including Stonehage and Jersey Water
- Jersey-based support group After Breast Cancer (ABC), which has provided an AcuVein monitor that allows for accurate sittings of intravenous drips
Bright and user-friendly envionment
Jackie Tardivel, Head of Nursing and Divisional Lead for Ambulatory Care, said: “We are delighted to have been able to build this new department for patients in Jersey with cancer. The upgraded facility enables patient centred care to be delivered in a bright and user-friendly environment. This is highly valued by patients who have to spend long periods of a day over many months whilst receiving chemotherapy.
“As well as having increased capacity, the environment lends itself to further development of other treatments which previously would have had to be delivered off-Island. For example we are now able to treat newly-diagnosed lymphoma patients, who previously had to go to Southampton for treatment.”
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