Kingston Hospital NHS Foundation Trust has this week opened its doors to haematology patients receiving chemotherapy in the new Maxwell Thorne Haematology Day Unit.
With the support of Kingston Hospital Charity, the Trust built a third floor onto the Sir William Rous Unit, the building that provides cancer services at Kingston Hospital, to allow a new Haematology Day Unit to be housed there. The new unit can accommodate 3000 patients every year and comprises 12 treatment chairs, a ‘Quiet Room’ for patients, a new waiting area and a roof top terrace for patients to sit outside after their treatment.
The Maxwell Thorne Haematology Day Unit was officially opened on Thursday 21 March by the family of the late Maxwell Thorne, who left a generous bequest to the hospital in his will, and the family of Sir William Rous, who the building was named after when it opened 10 years ago. At the opening, the Trust’s Chairman Sian Bates paid tribute to the late Maxwell Thorne for his remarkably generous contribution, without which the development of this new floor would not have been possible.
Sarah Evans, Clinical Director of Cancer Services at Kingston Hospital, said: “The new Haematology Day Unit will provide a calming environment for patients while they receive treatment, and allow the hospital to deliver chemotherapy to more haematology patients every year. The new unit also gives staff a pleasant environment to work in, which boosts morale and in turn allows them to deliver the very best care to our patients.”
Sian Bates, Trust Chairman, said: “I wish the Haematology Day Unit team all the best in their environment. They already provide an outstanding service to our haematology day patients and I look forward to seeing how the improved environment will enhance the patient experience even further as the number of patients requiring this service increases. I would like to thank everyone involved across the hospital that has made the new Haematology Day Unit a reality for us and our patients.
