The first patients to use the £2.2million chemotherapy and day treatment unit at North Devon District Hospital say they are impressed with the new centre.
Janet James, the first patient in the new Seamoor Unit, receives a bouquet of flowers from lead nurse Charlotte Overney.
Following a mammoth four-year fundraising campaign, the Seamoor Unit opened to patients on Monday afternoon.
The centre replaces a much smaller unit on Level 2 of the main building.
The first patient, Janet James, was presented with a bouquet of flowers by lead cancer nurse Charlotte Overney.
Janet, from Landkey, said: “I was told on Friday that I was going to be the first patient. I was so excited.
“In the old unit it was a bit squashed with three patients in a room, a nurse and a treatment trolley.
“The new unit is wonderful and so spacious. It’s lovely, bright and airy. It’s completely different.”
The main treatment area, named in memory of Jennifer Bonetta, contains 14 treatment chairs in an open-plan design as suggested by patients.
Janet said: “It’s lovely in there and you can have a chat. When you’re having chemotherapy you can feel lonely and cut off, but in this room everyone is going to get on so well.”
Janet, who has had chemotherapy at NDDH for the past three to four years, added: “The care you receive in this hospital is really good.
“I get all the treatment I need and everyone is so helpful. The doctors, the nurses, the breast care team – everyone. It’s so wonderful.”
Derek Cooper, from Heanton Punchardon, was one of the first patients to use the main treatment area.
He said: “It’s nice to be able to see everybody. In the old unit, it could be just two, three or four people. It’s nice to be able to acknowledge people and talk to people.
“It’s much more relaxing here. Hospitals can be formidable, but this isn’t. It’s quite easy to be here.”
He added: “I never had any problems with the old unit. The care is very good. The staff are very warm and assuring.”
Derek Cooper, one of the first patients, is pictured with chemotherapy day treatment unit manager Emma Thoms.
Derek also praised the lighting and views at the new unit, as well as the support he had received from St Augustine’s Church at Heanton Punchardon.
The Northern Devon Healthcare NHS Trust has received further excellent feedback in the comments book at the Seamoor Unit.
Many of the comments were left after the public and staff tours of the unit last week and at the draw for the Grand Car Raffle on Friday.
Some of the comments included:
- “Absolutely blown away by this amazing place. Well done.”
- “Amazing. Lovely atmosphere for people to receive their treatment whilst being in a homely environment.”
- “Finding it hard to find enough words to describe what a wonderful facility this is. Absolutely fab. Well done.”
- “Fantastic. You seem to have thought of everything. Well done to all involved.”
- “Overwhelmed. This is why LOCAL fundraising is so important. Proud to have been part of it.”
- “Fabulous. Everything has been thought of for staff and patients. Very spacious and calming. Much needed for the area. Thank you.”
- “Well done to the fundraising team. I could not find anything to complain about.”