Milton Keynes University Hospital is today (9/3) celebrating the first anniversary of the opening of its Cancer Centre.
When it opened 12 months ago, the £15m centre brought together under one roof all of the cancer services which were previously provided across three locations on the hospital site.
A chemotherapy suite, 24-bed inpatient ward, 11 clinic rooms and holistic support and group therapy wellbeing rooms all combine to offer oncology, clinical haematology and cancer-related chemotherapy services, with inpatient and outpatient services alongside a wellbeing support service.
Last year, MKFM visited the Cancer Centre days after opening and spoke to patients about the care they had received.
The patients were full of praise for the centre and its staff, with one lady, June, saying: "I wish I had a million pounds to give them. I would, because they have been so good."
Since then, the centre has had a tough year due to the pandemic - but has continued to offer its vital services.
Sally Burnie, MKUH’s Head of Cancer Services, said: “The past year has been an extremely challenging one due to the pandemic, and the opening of the Cancer Centre arrived just in time because it provides patients with adequate space to socially distance appropriately when they visit the centre to receive chemotherapy or other treatments.
"Through deploying appropriate infection prevention and control measures and having adequate space, we have been able to maintain cancer services through this difficult time, supporting our patient experience and enhancing service.
“I thank all of our patients for their support and understanding, as well as staff for their hard work and efforts during the past 12 months in what have obviously been difficult times for all.
"Our aim over the next 12 months is to enhance our support the wellbeing services for our patients and to re-establish our group programmes and walk-in services which have been managed virtually since the pandemic, focusing on holistic care and enhancing patient experience.”
Professor Joe Harrison, MKUH Chief Executive, added: “The Cancer Centre has transformed the way we provide treatment and care to patients here in Milton Keynes.
"The past year has been extremely challenging for all of us, including cancer patients and their loved ones, and this new centre has helped staff to deliver an excellent service in the most trying of circumstances. I pay tribute to our staff for their incredible contributions in this regard.”
