Rosemere Cancer Centre’s new 24 bed Ribblesdale Ward welcomed its first patients at 9 am today (Friday, 22nd October) following a short official opening ceremony attended by ward staff and others involved in the project yesterday afternoon.
Former patient Mike Richardson was given the honour of cutting the ribbon to declare the ward, which will take cancer patients from throughout Lancashire and South Cumbria, up and running following its extensive remodelling.
Previously, the ward was just a typical hospital ward but thanks to £1.05 million raised by supporters of Rosemere Cancer Foundation through its 20 Years Anniversary Appeal, it has been transformed into a uniquely healing environment with a nature inspired interior to promote a healthy recovery and positive well-being for patients, their loved ones and staff.
Dan Hill, chief officer of Rosemere Cancer Foundation, said: “We are incredibly proud of our supporters for helping us make the Ribblesdale Ward unrecognisable from how it was just a few short months ago. The upgrade is quite stunning.”
Hundreds of patients are treated on Ribblesdale Ward every year. They are looked after by a dedicated team of matron, 24 consultants, 15 nurses, 20 healthcare assistants, a ward clerk, two housekeepers and a domestics crew.
Following the refurbishment, most will now have single or shared en suite bedrooms. There is also a relatives’ room with homely furnishings and a kitchen area plus a room where patients can relax by watching TV, listening to music or by playing video games.
Rosemere Cancer Foundation works to bring world class cancer treatments and services to cancer patients from throughout Lancashire and South Cumbria being treated not only at Rosemere Cancer Centre, which is the region’s specialist cancer treatment and radiotherapy centre at the Royal Preston Hospital, but also at another eight local hospital cancer units across the two counties.
The charity funds cutting-edge equipment, clinical research, staff training and innovative services and initiatives that the NHS cannot afford in order to make patients’ cancer journey more effective, comfortable and stress-free.
For further information on its work, including how to make a donation, visit www.rosemere.org.uk
