New scheme at Southport and Ormskirk Hospital to provide treatment chairs for cancer patients

Sep 13 2012 by Our Correspondent, Ormskirk Advertiser

MEMBERS of the public who want to remember a loved one are being asked to take part in a new donation scheme at Southport and Ormskirk Hospital.

The NHS Trust is offering families the opportunity to provide specialist treatment chairs in the rebuilt and extended centre for cancer patients at Southport hospital.

Sister Julie Marshall, who has responsibility for the medical day unit, said: “We had two fantastically generous donations of half-a-million pounds for the bricks and mortar, as well as more than £50,000 from patients and their families.

“However, the centre will look even better if we can fit it out with brand new furniture, rather than using current stock which is looking past its best and will eventually need replacing.”

The chairs in question are used by patients receiving chemotherapy treatment on day visits. They are specially adapted to meet the needs of people who may be in them for hours at a time. Each chair costs £250 – and the centre needs at least 25.

Julie added: “That’s why we’re offering the opportunity to local families, businesses and individuals to remember a loved one or say thank you to staff with the gift of £250 to fund the purchase of a chair.”

The names of those making the donation will be marked on an honours board in the centre.

The refurbishment will see the cancer centre, known as the medical day unit, significantly expanded in size internally, as well as having a semi- circular lounge extension added. It is designed to create a light, airy treatment space for patients, some of whom require up to eight hours of chemotherapy at a time. There will also be new consulting rooms and a comfortable waiting area for patients.

The Marina Dalglish Appeal and West Lancashire Community Hospice Association each gave £500,000 towards the project. Southport Lions Club members have also given £2,500. Currently, patients who attend clinics run by Clatterbridge Cancer Centre staff are seen in Ward B at Ormskirk hospital. Everyone else is treated in the former Ward 11a on the first floor at Southport hospital.

All patients will return to the refurbished unit when the work is complete towards the end of October.