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The Unit - The Past & The Future
The original Cancer Care and Chemotherapy Unit was set up in 1989. It was a great success.
By providing treatment locally, on a day care basis, patients do not need to stay in hospital but can lead normal lives in their own homes. Patients with cancer and blood disorders, including Leukaemia and Lymphoma are cared for.
A unique new facility was built for the people of the Aylesbury area and was opened in January 2001. The Cancer Care and Chemotherapy Unit and Haematology department where brought together under the same roof. This was achieved by a charitable appeal and £1.2m was raised. Andrew de Mille Fundraising Consultants advised on this and subsequent fundraising needs.
Many differing aspects of cancer care are provided within the purpose-designed building. Patients receive medical treatment including chemotherapy, blood and platelet transfusions, I V antibiotics and other therapies, of which complementary therapies play an important part within a caring and supportive environment.
Patients and their families also need emotional support, counselling, information and advice. These are an essential part of the care offered.
The unit caters for all age groups and this is reflected in its design.
Children attend the department as patients and whilst accompanying other family members who are patients e.g. young mums with breast cancer. Special provision is made for them with their own waiting and play areas. The whole family is put under stress by these illnesses and the whole family needs support.
In the last few years, although the overall number of patients attending the unit has changed little, the quantity and quality of treatment available to them certainly has. This is as a result of a number of factors: the discovery of new treatments, the outcome of clinical trials and NICE guidelines which have given all patients equal access to treatments. More haematology patients are now undergoing autologous stem cell bone marrow transplants with much of the pre-harvesting and supportive post transplant treatment being given in the day unit. Patients are being referred more quickly and treated more successfully.
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