Teenagers and young adults aged 13-24 being treated for cancer across Worcestershire can now benefit from newly decorated and enhanced treatment spaces at Worcestershire Royal Hospital. Worcestershire Acute Hospitals NHS Trust and charity Teenage Cancer Trust have worked in partnership to upgrade treatment areas within the Rowan chemotherapy suite and Laurel 3, one of the cancer inpatient wards.
The works are part of an ongoing relationship with Teenage Cancer Trust, which sees cancer services in the hospital supported by a dedicated Teenage Cancer Trust Teenage and Young Adult (TYA) Clinical Liaison Nurse Specialist, a post funded by the charity.
The Teenage and Young Adult (TYA) service based at Worcestershire Royal Hospital ensures that patients aged 13-24 with a confirmed cancer diagnosis can receive age-appropriate support alongside their standard cancer treatment.
Worcester MP Robin Walker said:
"The process of cancer treatment is inevitably challenging for the patient and their family, both mentally as well as physically. Having a safe and welcoming environment is an important part of ensuring that young cancer patients feel comfortable that they are in good hands as they undergo their treatment.
"I am grateful to the Teenage Cancer Trust for the work they have done to improve the facilities at Worcester Royal."
On the recent installations Lisa Rowberry, Interim Lead Cancer Nurse at Worcestershire Acute Hospitals NHS Trust added:
“We are delighted that we have been able to install these incredible displays within our cancer wards and treatment areas, thanks to the support of Teenage Cancer Trust.
“Our priority is to ensure we are delivering safe and effective care, with patients having a positive experience when in our care. These unique designs help us to provide unique holistic care for our teenage and young adult patients, alongside their clinical care, to ensure they feel recognised and that they are not facing cancer alone.
The recently refurbished space offers an enhanced welcoming and friendly environment for young adults as well as being inclusive of patients of all ages.
Rosa Hooks is the Teenage Cancer Trust TYA Clinical Liaison Nurse Specialist, based at Worcestershire Royal Hospital. Working closely with the TYA team at the principal treatment centre, Rosa can visit inpatients, attend outpatient appointments or even arrange to see patients in their own homes when appropriate.
The role of the Teenage Cancer Trust TYA Clinical Liaison Nurse Specialist is to offer local, expert, age-appropriate care including emotional, psychological and social support to people aged 13-24 (up to their 25th birthday) from the point of cancer diagnosis, throughout treatment and up to 2 years post-treatment. Whilst working with patients Rosa recognised the need and the benefit of installing the new displays to improve patient experience when in hospital.
Rosa Hooks, Teenage Cancer Trust TYA Clinical Liaison Nurse Specialist added:
“We have received such positive feedback from our young and adult patients alike and the team are thrilled with the final results. We are already seeing the positive impact the new displays are having.”
Debbie Adams, Operations and Partnerships Manager at Teenage Cancer Trust said:
“Our aim is to provide teenagers and young adults aged 13-24 years and their families with age-appropriate support and environments to help young people deal with their cancer diagnosis, treatment and recovery in the best possible way.
“We are delighted to have worked together with the dedicated staff at Worcestershire Acute Hospitals NHS Trust on this exciting redecoration of young people and adult spaces at the hospital.”
Teenagers and young adults being treated for cancer across Worcestershire were involved in the design process, contributing to the images and colours used in the displays.
24 year old patient Lucy Eaton, commented on the new displays at her recent appointment adding:
“I really like the new decorations as they bring the outside in. It is the first thing you see when you enter the unit, and it makes you feel more relaxed as it doesn’t feel as clinical.
Lucy who is currently being treated for breast cancer at Worcestershire Royal Hospital also added: “I really like how young people are being thought of and included in these designs, the bright colours and outlines of people mean you can imagine who those people are for yourself.”