TEENAGERS and young adults 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 patients aged 13-24 with a confirmed cancer diagnosis can receive age-appropriate support alongside their standard cancer treatment.
On the recent installations Lisa Rowberry, interim lead cancer nurse at Worcestershire Acute Hospitals NHS Trust said: “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 recognized and 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, Teenage Cancer Trust TYA clinical liaison nurse specialist at the Royal, recognized the need and the benefit of installing the new displays.
“We have received such positive feedback from our young and adult patients alike and the team are thrilled with the final results,” she said.
“We are already seeing the positive impact the new displays are having.”
Teenagers and young adults being treated for cancer across Worcestershire were involved in the design process, contributing to the images and colors used in the displays.
Lucy Eaton, 24, is currently being treated for breast cancer at the Royal and viewed the new displays at her recent appointment.
“I really like the new decorations as they bring the outside in. It’s the first thing you see when you enter the unit, and it makes you feel more relaxed as it doesn’t feel as clinical,” she said.
“I really like how young people are being thought of and included in these designs, the bright colors and outlines of people mean you can imagine who those people are for yourself.”