Welcome to the bi-monthly update on the development of the University College Hospital (UCH) Macmillan Cancer Centre. Please email cancer.centre@uclh.nhs.uk with any comments, queries or feedback.
Building update
Work is continuing apace on the construction of the building. Over the next few weeks, the ‘to do’ list includes: installation of the ground floor entrances, including revolving doors, fit-out of the main reception area, completion of roof finishes, continuing the installation of fixtures, fittings and equipment and completing internal decorations.
Imaging update
Work on equipping the imaging rooms is progressing well. Both the magnets for the diagnostic MRI and the PET/MR scanners were delivered in September, and are now residing in their rooms. Both magnets are currently on “life support”, which means they are connected to utilities and are being kept cold, but are not yet fully assembled and working. The equipment for both the plain film and CT rooms is at the point of being selected, for installation early in 2012. All the equipment will be prepared and tested before opening so that departments are ready for action on day one. Visit our website for photos.
New scanner a first for the UK
The PET-MR scanner is the first of its kind in the UK. The arrival of this revolutionary piece of equipment will have a significant impact on the cancer care we will be able to provide to new and existing patients through improved diagnosis, targeted interventions and potential research breakthroughs. The £6 million cost of buying and installing the scanner has been met by UCLH Charity.
Email: cancer.centre@uclh.nhs.uk for more information.
What’s on the menu at the Cancer Centre?
Dietitians and the University College Hospital (UCH) catering department have been working with patient representatives to develop a nutritious appetising menu tailored to suit patients’ needs. To inform meal choices, dietitians gathered feedback via questionnaires from patients at the Rosenheim Building to help identify choices for tasting sessions. The final food tasting session recently took place where patient representatives were asked to trial the choices for the Cancer Centre menu and score the meals. The results proved that the meals chosen were suitable and tailored to patients’ needs. Further suggestions and feedback at these sessions will be taken into account when finalising the catering provision for the new Cancer Centre. For more information contact nives.pupovac@uclh.nhs.uk.
Information communications and technology (ICT) update
Leads for the Cancer Centre ICT projects recently had their first look at the new software that is being developed for use in the Cancer Centre. Feedback from this demonstration was very positive and the software is now being fully tested and integrated with existing systems in preparation for piloting early next year. This software includes:
- Check & Track - a patient self-check in and a patient calling and tracking system to assist patients in finding their way around the building and to their appointments
- Scheduler – a system which will enable co-ordinated booking of appointments in the patient’s pathway across different areas including outpatients, imaging, chemotherapy and other therapies. This information will be on one appointment letter and will provide a single point of contact for booking appointments.
- Patient Portal – providing patients with direct access to agreed parts of their care record via the internet with the ability to print appointment letters and submit questions for UCLH staff to review and/or respond to prior to their appointment.
For more information contact milly.oakley@uclh.nhs.uk.
Web update
Dr Geoff Bellingan, medical director for the surgery and cancer board at UCLH speaks about his vision of the new Cancer Centre in a new short film now on our website. Click here to view the film.
Cancer Centre at the UCLH annual public meeting
Clinical lead for the Cancer Centre Dr Kirit Ardeshna gave a presentation to an audience of 100 people made up of staff and members of the public at this year’s annual public meeting in September.
Supporting Macmillan’s biggest fundraiser of the year
A 'world’s biggest coffee morning’ was hosted at UCH in September. Trust chief executive Sir Robert Naylor was joined by Macmillan Cancer Support chief executive Ciaran Devane at the event which raised an impressive £1,475.61.
Coming soon - Cancer Centre tour day
Watch this space - we are currently in the process of organising a tour day where staff and stakeholders can come along for a tour of the building. As the facility continues to be a building site numbers and access will be limited and allocated on a first come first served basis. Date (likely to be a Saturday afternoon in November) and details will be announced shortly. |