A new dedicated counselling space for Haematology patients in Leeds has been officially opened at St James’s University Hospital.
Leeds Rhinos’ player Joel Moon came down to the hospital to open the cancer support facility and find out more about how the Trust is working with charities and patient groups to improve care.
Designed to offer patients a quiet area to talk to nurses about their conditions and treatment, the room based in the Bexley Wing was put forward 18 months ago as a result of patient feedback and work by specialist nurses to find out how to improve the service.
Gill Stewart, Lymphoma Clinical Nurse Specialist said: “It was clear that we did not have adequate space in our outpatient department to see and support our patients after they had been given life changing news with the diagnosis of a haematological malignancy.”
“We were supported by donations from friends and relatives of patients who had received treatment in our department and within the PNH [paroxysmal nocturnal haemoglobinuria] National Service. Valuable additional funding was provided from the Friends of Lymphoma, Leukaemia and Myeloma.
“The new counselling area will provide a much needed space for our patients to talk about their conditions and seek additional help. We would like to thank everyone for their support.”
Lorraine Ritchie, whose husband, Ian, was treated at the Bexley Wing, said: “Prior to his death, Ian decided that instead of flowers at his funeral, he wanted a collection to raise money for the ward where he was treated for non-Hodgkins lymphoma to help families like ours and for the staff who had supported him throughout his illness.
“We raised £1,840 at his funeral and I made the total up to £5,000. I am very proud to know that our contribution was the catalyst for such vast and vital changes to the ward. Ian would be so proud to know this and that there are now private rooms available for patients and families at a time in their lives when this is needed the most.”
