Plans for a brand new state-of-the-art cancer centre at Chesterfield Royal Hospital have been given the go-ahead sparking a £2.5million fundraising appeal by Macmillan.
The Chesterfield Royal Macmillan Cancer Centre is a joint venture between Macmillan and the Chesterfield Royal Hospital NHS Foundation Trust to bring vital cancer treatment, care and support together in one purpose built facility.
This exciting new £8.9 million development, due to open in Autumn 2016, will mean that more people with cancer in North Derbyshire will be able to access joined up services closer to home.
The Chesterfield Royal Hospital NHS Foundation Trust has committed £6.4 million of the total cost. Macmillan has launched a fundraising appeal for the remaining £2.5 million needed.
Every year, more than 1500 people in North and North East Derbyshire are told they have cancer and as many as 9,000 people receive cancer care in North and North East Derbyshire at any one time.
Currently cancer care and treatment is given from different clinics across the Chesterfield Royal hospital site, and the chemotherapy unit is no longer large enough for the number of patients it sees. There is also only a limited information service.
The new centre will change all that – enabling specialist teams to provide a range of appointments in one place – including all out-patient chemotherapy and clinical haematology. There will be an increase from 8 to 25 chemotherapy chairs and 2 beds. The centre will also include a specialist Macmillan information and support service which will offer cancer information, benefits advice, emotional support and also signpost patients to other local services such as support groups.
The new centre will benefit patients such as James Colhoun, 73, from Bakewell, who was diagnosed with a form of leukaemia called myelodysplastic syndrome in July 2013.
The condition cannot be cured so James receives ongoing chemotherapy and haematology treatment at the Chesterfield Royal Hospital.
The new centre will mean James will be able to access all the cancer services he needs under one roof, reducing delays and repeat visits to the hospital.
James said: “Although my condition cannot be cured, with chemotherapy, it can be contained. However, this does mean a large portion of my time is spent in hospital receiving treatment. I have to go to the hospital seven times a month to have treatment across 4 different hospital departments which are at opposite ends of the hospital. It can be quite stressful having to travel around different departments for treatment and can result in a huge amount of time being wasted.
“Being able to have my treatment in one place so I don’t have to visit lots of different departments will make things a lot easier for both me and the staff, and reduce delays. The nurses and specialists do a brilliant job but they are let down by the situation they are in, which is not their fault and should be sorted out.”
Jane Rudge, Senior Macmillan Development Manager, commented: “This is a vital new centre for the people of North Derbyshire. Being diagnosed with cancer is one of the toughest things that anyone can face and the Chesterfield Royal Macmillan Cancer Centre will give local people the very best in treatment and support. But we won’t be able to do this without the generosity of local people.”
Chief executive at the Royal, Gavin Boyle said: “This is a really exciting development for the hospital, our patients and the local community. By working in partnership with Macmillan we will create a really special cancer centre that will absolutely enhance the fantastic work our cancer teams do. It’s a massive ask but I’m convinced people will be behind the plans and fundraising campaign.”
For information about the new centre, how to make a donation or for details on how you could get involved in supporting the Appeal, visit macmillan.org.uk/chesterfieldappeal, call 0300 1000 200 or email fundraising@macmillan.org.uk
