It is a sad fact that one in every two people will develop some form of cancer during their lifetime, and treatment often means frequent and long trips to hospital at what is a very stressful time.
The Haematology Oncology Day Unit (HODU) at Airedale Hospital serves Airedale and the surrounding areas and, together with two mobile units operated in partnership with the charity Hope For Tomorrow, provide chemotherapy and therapeutic oncology treatments within a 20-mile radius in the Yorkshire Dales. (8,300 treatments were delivered by the mobile units alone in 2022-23.)
Roughly 100 patients a day are seen across all three units (HODU and the two mobiles) with all treatments being completely nurse-led. Treatments can vary between 30-minute weekly treatments, and 7-hour treatments at up to 3-week intervals.
When the HODU at Airedale Hospital was refurbished, New Vision Signs and Graphics had the pleasure of working with the team to help provide a less clinical environment, featuring wall murals and a 40” Digital Aquarium which help patients feel more at ease.
There are 18 staff, including 2 Practice Educators, 3 Oncology Clinical Nurse Specialists, and 2 non-malignant Nurse Specialists working in five Treatment Rooms, 8am-6pm on Mondays and 8am-8pm from Tuesday to Friday, where the patients receive pre-chemotherapy medication. There is also a Lounge with 12 chairs and a Procedures Room where a Chemotherapy Nurse inserts PICC lines (intravenous lines for chemotherapy).
The refurbishment was funded by Airedale Hospital & Community Charity, which is the dedicated charity of Airedale NHS Foundation Trust (ANHSFT).
Since 2020, Airedale Hospital & Community Charity has raised over £1.5 million for ANHSFT, supporting the staff, patients, and communities of Airedale across 700 square miles of West and North Yorkshire and East Lancashire.
During the financial year 2022/23, the Charity gave back nearly half a million pounds to Airedale NHS Foundation Trust through the donation of equipment, furniture, items for staff wellbeing and support of outdoor facilities.
Another example of the Charity’s work is the funding of two Charging Stations at Airedale Hospital. A common theme from patient feedback was the stress of not being able to stay connected with family and friends whilst in hospital – particularly when visiting at times of urgent need. This, together with the cost-of-living crisis and its impact on staff, led to an innovative solution: the provision of free charging stations which provide 30 minutes free charging to any type of device – phones, tablets, laptops – in a secure lockable cabinet.
Since the installation of the stations nearly 12 months ago, an incredible total of over 15,000 charges have been delivered to those in need.
This provision means patients are less stressed and anxious when visiting hospital, which often leads to improved patient experience and outcomes.
As in all things, it is the added extras – the little things – that really make a difference.
