Cancer patients will be treated with state-of-the-facilities at Huddersfield Royal Infirmary’s newly revamped chemotherapy unit.
The Greenlea Unit is part of a £2.2m ward improvements schemel.
More than 150 patients a week will be treated in the suite where all oncology outpatients appointments will take place.
The unit, opened in 1996 by then Chief Medical Officer for England Sir Ken Calman, has been expanded to take more patients and includes eight oncology clinic rooms.
It also features a resource centre to offer advice and support to patients and their families, a light, airy waiting room with drink-making facilities and a quiet room.
Long serving volunteer Carol Armitage, who has been on the unit since it first opened, snipped the ribbon and declared it open.
“It’s a privilege for me to work here alongside the nurses,” she said. “What I do is just a small contribution to the patients’ experience when they come to the ward for chemotherapy.
“But I like to think it does make a difference to have someone who is there voluntarily to listen and talk to them.”
Chemotherapy lead nurse Jackie Swire said: “We are delighted to be able to have this new facility for our patients. We have been wanting to improve it for a long time and are now really pleased that our patients, their friends and their families will have a new, improved environment as they go through assessment and then treatment for a wide range of cancers.
“Chemotherapy treatments can be long and frequent so anything which makes it more relaxing is so much better for patients who are going through difficult times. All the team is very proud to be able to offer them care on this new facility.”
Fenay Bridge company Paxman has been developing state-of-the-art cancer treating systems which are already in use within the unit and has now donated one of its latest scalp coolers which helps to prevent hair loss during cancer treatment.
The developments came when Sue Paxman was battling breast cancer.
Husband Glenn was determined to find a way of helping her and others to retain their dignity. Drawing on the expertise built up through family business Brewfitt – supplying drinks dispense and cooling equipment – Glenn and brother Neil developed the Paxman Cooler.
The scalp cooling device helped cancer patients retain their hair during chemotherapy by restricting the flow of blood – and the chemicals used in the treatment – to the scalp and hair follicles.
Sadly Sue died in 2000.
Her daughter, Claire, sales and training manager at Paxman said: “It will be 15 years since we lost mum on October 30 so it is an especially poignant time for us.”
The League of Friends have provided kitchenware and the Greenlea Oncology Trust fund, developed from donations from patients and carers, has paid for much of the new equipment.
