Focus on Chemotherapy Day Unit

Staff are looking forward to helping to shape the new Chemotherapy Day Unit for Bronglais Hospital.

Following the launch of the Bronglais Chemo Appeal to raise the final £500,000 for a purpose-built day unit and as the appeal builds momentum, the unit’s staff are excited about the plans and what they will mean for patients.

The final design for the new unit will be led by staff who know best what the unit should provide and what the environment should feel like. Patients and other key stakeholders will also be engaged in this process.

Clinical lead for the new unit Dr Elin Jones says there has been talk and hope and ambition about getting a designated chemotherapy day unit at Bronglais Hospital for over 20 years.

“Bronglais Hospital has long had the ambition and drive to deliver the best service to cancer patients. During my time at Bronglais it has been clear that whilst the service from the team as a whole has been excellent, it is not being delivered on a unit that is fit for purpose,” said Elin.

“A new unit will future-proof the service because as cancer treatments expand and develop, we are seeing more patients live with their cancer diagnosis and receive ongoing treatment.

“The unit will provide treatment and care which protects dignity and privacy and it will be a pleasant place where patients don’t mind spending time.

“And for staff it will boost morale hugely, because not only will they be proud of the work they do but also how they deliver it for patients.”

Clinical Nurse Specialist Rhian Jones said: “My hopes are that we can have a treatment area that is comfortable, where privacy and dignity can be maintained, and where the layout is designed so outpatients are seen in a separate area from those having treatment.

“Patients and staff are looking forward to a purpose-built unit, which will complement the excellent care being given,” added Rhian, who was the senior sister on the unit for 16 years before recently taking a three-year secondment to the role of Macmillan Oncology Clinical Nurse Specialist.

Eirian Gravell, Specialist Haematology Nurse, who has been in the team for 22 years, said: “We need a purpose-built unit that can accommodate all patients, bearing in mind that we cover Ceredigion, south Gwynedd and north Powys.

“It needs to be a unit where patients can see all staff members, including occupational therapists, dieticians, specialist nurses, as well as the chemotherapy team. We offer a high standard of care, second to none. It will be nice to have a facility that reflects that.”

Acting manager of the unit, Chemotherapy Clinical Nurse Specialist Bettina Vance, said: “We want to go forward with better facilities, so there is an improved environment for both patients and staff.”

Chemotherapy Nurse Patricia Mozafari said: “It will be good to have a central nurses’ station, something we don’t have currently, plus separate rooms for injections and curtains for visual privacy, along with an information area for patients to freely access. A new, purpose-built unit will give a pride in the service for both patients and staff.”

And Chemotherapy Nurse Sacha Williams added: “My hopes for the new unit are that there will be more privacy for patients, providing them with a more comfortable and inviting environment, which will help patients and staff.”

Healthcare Support Worker Stacey Mleczek said: “We want to see a chemotherapy day unit that offers more privacy for patients in a more homely environment. We also need a dedicated patient waiting area and it would be lovely to have a staff room.”

Fellow Healthcare Support Worker Rebecca Fletcher said: “A brighter environment will be so much more welcoming for patients. The extra privacy, with dedicated areas for patients to wait and be seen, will be such a positive.”