Friday 6th October saw the grand unveiling of the new Chemotherapy Unit at St Mary’s Hospital.
Costing £500,000, the new facility features a wide range of features to help patients and ease discomfort. The centre was opened to patients on September the 18th, and was funded jointly by the NHS and Wessex Cancer Trust. Incorporating plasma televisions, calming tropical fish tanks and artwork – much of which was kindly donated by the Kit Hobday appeal – the unit will provide top quality care for sufferers of Upper Gastrointestinal and Gynaecological cancer.
The facility is said to be one of the best in the country, and comes as a hugely welcome addition to the hospital, replacing the old unit which was so small, it became known as the ‘broom cupboard’.
Perhaps the main benefit to Islanders will be that they no longer have to commute over to mainland hospitals for their treatment, with the new unit meaning this discomfort and inconvenience of travelling is now finally removed for good.