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Welcome to the first edition of Cancer Centre News, a bi-monthly e-mail bulletin that will update you on recent developments at the UCH Macmillan Cancer Centre.
With just over a year to go before the Cancer Centre opens (April 2012) there’s plenty going on behind the scenes – as well as on the construction site – to ensure that we deliver a new, improved service meeting all the needs of cancer patients and their families and carers. Our first edition sets the scene and introduces some of the main areas of work. We hope you find it useful. Your feedback is always welcome, so please send your comments to cancer.centre@uclh.nhs.uk
Jessica Tudor Williams
Cancer Centre General Manager
Building update
Each month our appointed contractors, Skanska, provide an update on progress at the site. Over the next month cladding will be added to level 5 and the roof, lifts will be installed and waterproofing will take place on the roof. Click here for images of the building.
Topping out
The Cancer Centre was ‘topped out’ on 29 March in a ceremony which saw the last piece of concrete laid at the structure by the Skanska vice president and our special guest the Right Honourable Francis Maude MP. In keeping with ancient tradition, an evergreen tree was hung from the top beam for good luck. View our press release here.
ICT in the cancer centre
Information, communications and technology (ICT) has a vital role to play in supporting staff and patients in the new Cancer Centre. A work programme to design and install ICT has been agreed and includes: wired and wireless networks for both staff and patient access; hardware such as computers, printers, telephones and patient entertainment. Key developments that will improve the patient experience are kiosks and display screens that will allow patients to confirm their arrival in the Centre; help them find their way around and enable them to view live information about clinic timings. The patient portal described below is another example of how new IT systems are supporting us in our role of putting the patient at the centre of care.
Patient involvement – the patient portal
We are committed to involving patients and have a number of different groups offering patients (past and present) the opportunity to have their say in the building design and how services will be run. One example is the development of a patient portal, a ground breaking tool will provide a new and unique way of giving patients information about their care anytime, from anywhere. Using a secure log in, patients will be able to access a personal screen showing their care history and a contact telephone number which will provide a direct link to the team responsible for their care. Patients have been involved in both the design and content of the portal, for example they have suggested that as chemotherapy can affect a person’s eyesight, users of the portal should be able to view their information in different font sizes.
Changing the way services are delivered
We are working hard to improve the way services are provided in the new Cancer Centre. New technology (the UK’s first PET-MRI machine) will support improved diagnosis and monitoring, clinics will run to time and chemotherapy pathways are being redesigned so that waiting times are reduced. More patients will be treated on an ambulatory care basis. This approach, which sees cancer care being delivered without the need for staying in hospital is being extended to teenagers in the next month.
Introducing our charity partners – Macmillan Cancer Support
Macmillan Cancer Support is contributing £10million to help build the UCH Macmillan Cancer Centre and fund services within it and out into the community. The funding will enable Macmillan to offer medical, emotional, practical and financial support for people affected by cancer throughout their cancer journey. Within the Centre, Macmillan will occupy the ground floor and lower ground floors providing services such as information and advice, counselling, rehabilitation services and complementary diet, health and fitness services. Macmillan professionals - including nurses, information specialists and welfare rights advisers - will work throughout the building and they will be supported by a network of skilled volunteers. We believe the UCH Macmillan Cancer Centre will transform the way cancer care is delivered in the NHS, impacting on the lives of people affected by cancer in London and across the UK. If you would like to help us fund the UCH Macmillan Cancer Centre, please get in touch on 020 8563 9699 or email us at greaterlondon@macmillan.org.uk
Introducing our charity partners – UCLH Charitable Foundation
UCLH Charitable Foundation is the main fundraising charity for research, building and equipment projects across UCLH. Their cancer centre appeal to raise £30 million is doing well but has nearly £10 million still to raise. One of the first major donations was from the Kay Kendall Fund for leukaemia which donated nearly £1million. Visit www.cancercentreuclh.org for more information.
Introducing our charity partners – Teenage Cancer Trust (TCT)
Teenage Cancer Trust (TCT) is working closely with UCLH to design an innovative environment for teenage and young adult patients aged 13-24 on the third floor of the Cancer Centre. The aim is to create an environment that young people will connect to, find interesting and stimulating before, during and after treatment. Everything will be designed to help reduce their anxiety and fear of cancer and the side-effects they have to endure. For further information visit www.teenagecancertrust.org |