Cancer patients and staff at Solihull Hospital mark one year since specialist unit opened - The Solihull Observer

Cancer patients and staff at Solihull Hospital mark one year since specialist unit opened

Solihull Editorial 3rd Jul, 2019   0

CANCER patients and staff at Solihull Hospital celebrated a year since a specialist unit opened its doors.

The new £2.2million Haematology and Oncology Day Unit welcomed patients last May after.

It was officially opened by Black Sabbath guitarist Tony Iommi and Wolverhampton Wanderers goalkeeper Carl Ikeme alongside University Hospitals Birmingham NHS Foundation Trust’s Chief Executive Dame Julie Moore.

One year on dedicated patients, families and staff celebrated with cakes, pizza and non-alcoholic fizz.




Gemma Hughes, Haematology and Oncology Day Unit manager, said: “The reason the Day Unit is so important is that we needed to expand the service to provide additional capacity.

“We are now able to provide more space for the comfort of our patients, who are treated in an improved environment.”


Before the unit opened, most chemotherapy patients were treated on Ward 19 at Heartlands Hospital or at the Sheldon Unit at Good Hope.

Recent years have seen a greater need for chemotherapy treatment, therefore, in order to ease the pressures at Heartlands Hospital, the Solihull unit was opened.

The unit is also fundraising to help fund some ‘small comforts’ for patients by holding a luxury raffle with tickets costing £1 each.

The raffle prizes have all been donated by local Solihull businesses.

Rachel Learmonth, fundraising manger for Solihull Hospital Charity said: “The Hospital Charity is so grateful for all the amazing support from staff that have helped us celebrate this very special day for patients and their families.

“All monies raised from the raffle will be used to fund facilities, equipment and training that go over and above what the NHS can fund, benefitting patients, families and staff who visit the Haematology and Oncology Day Unit every single day.”

For more or to take part in the raffle visit www.solihullhospital.org.uk or call 0121 371 4852.

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